Albanian tangerine sales and exports are facing a crisis this year, due to falling demand in neighboring countries, mainly in the region and Kosovo. As a result, skilled producers in the Xarra and Konispol areas are facing heavy losses, and crops are rotting on trees.
"Production this year has been good, but sales have fallen by almost 50%," said Astrit Tartari to Monitor, a grower in the Konispol area. Mr. Tartari said that there was information that demand has decreased in countries where Albania dominates the supply of this product, such as Kosovo.
The pandemic crisis has turned into an economic crisis, affecting the reduction of consumption for a number of products. The decrease in demand with the return of restrictive measures in the region has also reduced the demand for fruits and vegetables produced in Albania for export.
Tangerine production has increased rapidly in recent years, as a result of well-organized production on farms and cooperatives in the South, where advanced technology is also used.
The lack of long-term export contracts exposes them to high risks of selling products. Mr. Tartari said that exporting to EU countries is very difficult, because they require twice the standards for our products, compared to those of community countries like Greece. As a result, Albanian tangerines are exported to the region and mainly to Kosovo.
Recent trends and expert assessment confirm that planting citrus, especially tangerines is a profitable agricultural activity.
Professors Engjëll Shkreli and Drini Imami, in a special study on the tangerin market claim that, at best, taking into account a yield of 50 tons per hectare and a farm production price of 45 ALL / kg, gross income for 1 hectare are ALL 2.2 million. Tangerine cultivation is ranked among the most profitable agricultural activities in Albania. For this reason, the establishment of new citrus/tangerine plantations using the cultivars demanded in the market, especially in the export market, presents an opportunity for financial institutions.
According to estimates, the production of tangerines in Konispol reaches 30 thousand tons and within a few years, is expected to go to 60 thousand tons. Supporting the current plantation trend is a "golden opportunity" for financial institutions, experts say.
Tangerine production has increased significantly in recent years, from less than 100 hectares or less than 1000 tons in 2005, to 30,000 tons in 2018. The production of lemons and oranges is growing at almost the same trend. As a result, the import of tangerines has been characterized by a strong contraction as a result of the increase in domestic production which has partly contributed to the replacement of imports. Their export has also increased significantly in recent years.
While Albania has a negative trade balance for citrus, the citrus export trend is impressive. Globally, Albania ranks 66th for citrus exports. However, it is worth noting that the demand of Albanian tangerine is declining, which means that Albania needs to reorient its target export markets.