Banana imports have doubled in the last decade, Albanians consume officially four times more than French

Bananas plants in Ecuador

 In 2021, the consumption of bananas in Albania turns out to have reached a record level, at least according to official figures. Data from Customs indicate that a total of bananas worth 3 billion leks (about 25 million euros) were imported. Compared to the previous year, imports expanded by 9.1%, while compared to a decade ago they doubled, Monitor reports.

 Graph of banana import by countries in Albania in lek in the years 2011 - 2021, source: INSTAT

In quantity, in 2021 a total of 34.4 million kg were imported, or 10% more than a year earlier.

Per capita consumption, four times higher than in France

Data processed by "Monitor", show that per capita consumption of bananas in 2021 reached 12.2 kg/capita, the highest in the country. Compared to a decade ago, per capita consumption is doubled (in 2010 it was 6 kg/capita).

According to Faostat, at 2021 levels, the per capita consumption of bananas in Albania is close to the annual average, while it is three times higher than in France (4 kg per capita). It officially turns out that Albanians consume more bananas than Spain (7 kg/capita), Greece (10.8), Italy (11). The highest consumption in Europe is in the United Kingdom (17 kg/capita).

The main states are Ecuador and Colombia

Ecuador is the main country, from where bananas are imported into the country, with 77% of the total, with a value of ALL 2.4 billion, doubling compared to a decade ago.

From 2016, there was a significant increase in imports from Colombia, which reached the highest level in 2018 with 315 million leks, then decreased in the next two years, to increase again in 2021. In 2021, about 10% of total banana imports came from Columbia.

Third is Costa Rica, with 7% of the total. This country marked a significant increase in exports in 2021.

Also in 2021, banana purchases from two countries in the region increased significantly, although they remain at a low value, respectively Greece (3%) of the total and Montenegro (1%).

It is thought that one of the reasons for such a large increase in banana imports in Albania is the trafficking of cocaine through banana containers, where in recent years several thousand tons of cocaine hidden in banana containers have been seized.