The volume of Albania’s outbound trade of agricultural goods amounted to 23,619 tonnes in September, an increase from 18,034 tonnes in the same month of the previous year, Agriculture Minister Anila Denaj said on Wednesday.

“Agricultural products “Made in Albania” are steadily increasing their presence in foreign markets, showing a clear overview of the increase in quality and the empowerment of farmers in the country,” Denaj wrote in a Facebook post.

In the first nine months of the year, the volume of agricultural exports rose 19% on the year to 358,380 tonnes, the ministry said last week.

The value of exports of agricultural produce reached Lek 57.5 billion (Dollar 628.7 million/Euro 583 million) in 2023, Denaj has said.

Denaj said that the numbers in a positive trend show a clear picture of the increase in quality and the empowerment of farmers in the country.

Supporting policies have increased investments in improving the quality and standards of Albanian products that are steadily increasing their presence in international markets, she said.

The favorable climate, the proximity to European markets, the opportunity to cover regional markets with untapped potential, as well as the low-cost labor force, make Albania a country with promising potential in several sectors, but especially in agriculture.

The main agricultural products that Albania exports are medicinal plants, fresh and processed vegetables, olive oil, essential oils, watermelons, fruits, canned fish, etc.