Medicinal plants, Albania produces 330 species, the most exported sobly and Lyvanda

A dedicated publication of the Albanian Foreign Investment Agency, which sums up the performance of the sector as a whole, underscores that our country is among the world's 25 leading exporters of medical and fragrant plants.

At least 95 percent of all production is directed toward export. According to ADA, the growth in this group's exports has been continuous, even though total generated revenues remain modest.

In 2020 these exports were estimated at 44m euros.

About 32 percent of this group's exports are directed toward the United States of America, as well as to Germany. In Turkey about 10 percent and so are in France. Most of the production is made by large collections by independent individuals who make up 80 percent, while the rest are cultivated.

But what are actually the most exported medical and fragrant plants?

In first place according to ADA's summary is scepbela, and Livanda (levander) follows, the rhino is the third and then the trumpet, the wild apples.

Albania is the key supplier of the US market with scepbels and the German market with the trumpet.

“Fermers in Albania currently grow, accumulate and export 186 species of herbs and spices from 330 species of herbs that grow to total in Albania. The sector employs over 90,000 employees, 10% of whom are also engaged in plant cultivation on an area of over 6,000 Ha” estimates publication.

According to the ADA Medical and Elusive Plants in Albania, mainly grow in Shkodra, Great Malece, Korca, Elbasan, Berat, Gjirokastra and Kukes. Traditionally, wild medical plants in Albania are exported as raw materials. They are further processed and packaged in export markets to be sold at higher prices.

Currently, 40-50 export companies MAP Albania operate, much of them further processing plants for production of products such as essential oils. /Monitor. al