Albanian exports to Kosovo down by 40% to 10 months

Advanced data from NSTAT shows that 577m tonnes of goods from 964 thousand in the same period in 2020 were exported to Kosovo during January-October.

As a result, exports to Kosovo totaled 18 percent of Albanian exports in 10 months, up from 28% a year ago.

The decline has become mainly iron and oil. The opening of exclusive services for Kosovo at the Durres Port has prompted Kosovo companies to supply oil, cement and iron directly. Earlier these supplies were performed by Albanian iron and cement production companies

With more electricity costs increased, Kurum, the iron production company in Elbasan decided to close production, as iron from import came at a cheaper price. Currently, both Albania and Kosovo are supplied with import iron.

More detailed data from INSTAT shows that the decline of exports to Kosovo has been created by the lowest volume of exports of materials, construction, iron and oil.

The biggest decline has been marked by exports of lime and cement. During the 10 - month period, 218 tons of lime and cement were exported, or 47 % less than the same 2021 period. Giza and steel marked decline by 25% and ore by 71%.

On the other side of the increase were exports of vegetables, cereals, fertilizers and magazines and books.

The exports of vegetables in quantity increased by 5 %. Kosovo is the main market of Albanian greenhouse products. But a strong increase in waste exports for agriculture was seen this year.

Market actors stated that the demand for fertilizers from Albanian farmers has dropped significantly this year, and the amounts previously imported to Albania are being re-exported to Kosovo.

This year Albanian grain exports to Kosovo and some products of the grinding and honey industry have increased.

Albania and Kosovo in recent years have held several joint meetings at the bottom of which has been the ease of trade and the creation of joint markets.

But in the context of meetings and hundreds of agreements signed between public entities trade between two states of the same nation has progressed very slowly.

Trade relations more mark conflict episodes than easy to increase common benefits from the opening of markets.