Albania Trade Deficit Hits Largest Since 2021

2026-09-17 10:09 By Mariene Camarillo 1 min. read

Albania’s trade deficit widened to ALL 55.0 billion in August 2026 from ALL 46.9 billion in the same month a year earlier, marking the largest deficit since December 2021.

Imports jumped 12.6% year-on-year to ALL 75.6 billion, driven largely by higher purchases of minerals, fuels, and electricity (+23.2%), machinery, equipment, and spare parts (+19.8%), and construction materials and metals (+16.5%).

Among key trading partners, imports increased from the US (+320.3%), Spain (+27.4%), Turkey (21.9%), and China (+16.9%).

Meanwhile, exports rose 1.6% to ALL 20.5 billion, lifted by increased shipments of leather and leather products (+27.3%), wood and articles of paper (+12.0%), and food, beverages, and tobacco (+7.9%).

Exports increased the most to Switzerland (+101.9%), the US (+71.6%), China (+49.5%), and Germany (+14.9%).

During the January–August period, the country’s trade gap totalled ALL 364.1 billion, up from ALL 348.9 billion in the corresponding month last year.



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Albania Trade Deficit Hits Largest Since 2021
Albania’s trade deficit widened to ALL 55.0 billion in August 2026 from ALL 46.9 billion in the same month a year earlier, marking the largest deficit since December 2021. Imports jumped 12.6% year-on-year to ALL 75.6 billion, driven largely by higher purchases of minerals, fuels, and electricity (+23.2%), machinery, equipment, and spare parts (+19.8%), and construction materials and metals (+16.5%). Among key trading partners, imports increased from the US (+320.3%), Spain (+27.4%), Turkey (21.9%), and China (+16.9%). Meanwhile, exports rose 1.6% to ALL 20.5 billion, lifted by increased shipments of leather and leather products (+27.3%), wood and articles of paper (+12.0%), and food, beverages, and tobacco (+7.9%). Exports increased the most to Switzerland (+101.9%), the US (+71.6%), China (+49.5%), and Germany (+14.9%). During the January–August period, the country’s trade gap totalled ALL 364.1 billion, up from ALL 348.9 billion in the corresponding month last year.
2026-09-17
Albania Trade Gap Narrows in July
Albania’s trade deficit narrowed slightly to ALL 52.8 billion in July 2026 from ALL 53.0 billion in the same month a year earlier. Exports jumped 10.6% year-on-year to ALL 33.7 billion, lifted by higher shipments of construction materials and metals (72.1%), minerals, fuels, and electricity (32.4%), and machinery, equipment, and spare parts (7.8%). Among key trading partners, exports increased to Greece (+19.0%), China (+54.8%), the US (+729.2%), and Germany (+2.5%). Meanwhile, imports rose 3.6% to ALL 86.4 billion, driven largely by higher purchases of minerals, fuels, and electricity (12.7%), food, beverages, and tobacco (4.3%), and construction materials and metals (2.7%). Imports increased the most from China (+22.7%), Turkey (+10.5%), and Italy (+0.3%). During the January–July period, the country’s trade gap totalled ALL 309.1 billion, up from ALL 302.1 billion in the corresponding period of last year.
2026-08-17
Albania Trade Deficit Widens in June
Albania’s trade deficit widened to ALL 48.0 billion in June 2026 from ALL 45.8 billion in the same month a year earlier. Imports rose 9.1% year-on-year to ALL 83.5 billion, supported by higher purchases of food, beverages, and tobacco (11.6%), chemicals and plastic products (17.8%), machinery, equipment, and spare parts (3.4%), and minerals, fuels, and electricity (24.4%). Among key trading partners, imports increased from Italy (24.9%), China (11.5%), Greece (6.9%), and Germany (3.4%). Meanwhile, exports climbed 13.6% to ALL 35.4 billion, driven by stronger shipments of minerals, fuels, and electricity (31.0%), food, beverages, and tobacco (8.5%), construction materials and metals (29.1%), and machinery, equipment, and spare parts (30.1%). Exports rose the most to Kosovo (38.5%), Greece (24.2%), and Italy (7.6%). During the January–June period, the country’s trade gap totaled ALL 256.4 billion, up from ALL 249.1 billion in the corresponding period of last year.
2026-07-17