Amid concerns over this year's production, farmers in Albania have begun harvesting corn, one of the most important crops for the country's agriculture. For years, corn has been a key component for both the food industry and the livestock sector in Albania.
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| Field planted with corn in Mallakaster, Albania |
Zef Ndoka, one of the most well-known farmers in the Nënshkodër area for corn cultivation, stated that this year has been particularly challenging due to rising production costs. This trend has persisted for several years, reducing farmers' interest in growing this essential crop, VOA reports.
Kujtim Garupi, a farmer from the village of Kosmaç in the Vau Dejës municipality, said he has just started the corn harvest and is satisfied with the yield, as he has managed to harvest 12.5 quintals from his first plot.
However, Garupi expressed concerns about the market situation, pointing out that imported corn from the region is being sold at prices lower than the local production cost.
Both Zef and Kujtim did not receive any government agricultural subsidies this year, despite considering them vital. They believe subsidies are necessary as agricultural production costs have risen while market prices remain low, which, according to them, increases the risk of leaving farmland uncultivated.
Professor Kostandin Hajkoja, a specialist from the Agricultural Technology Transfer Center, noted that around 60,000 hectares of corn were planted in Albania this year. However, unfavorable weather conditions have led to a decrease in yield.
“This year, corn faced many issues due to the climate—prolonged drought and extremely high temperatures, which were 3-4 degrees above the long-term average. This caused problems with ear filling and kernel weight. In most unirrigated fields, the yield does not exceed 4 tons per hectare,” said Hajkoja.
Hajkoja added that neighboring countries also experienced unfavorable climatic conditions for corn cultivation this year, which is expected to affect the regional corn market, a critical crop for both livestock and the food industry.
“The situation is similar across the region. A 30-40% reduction in production is expected this year. Prices are expected to rise rapidly as these countries have their own clauses preventing the export of corn,” he explained.
According to Professor Hajkoja, Albania is projected to meet around 80% of its corn needs this year. Last year, for the first time in 30 years, Albania fully met its corn demand.
Albania consumes about 500,000 tons of corn annually for livestock and the food industry, a figure that continues to grow due to the increasing food demand driven by the high number of tourists visiting the country.