Kosovo removed the ban on imports of goods from Serbia at a border point in October. With the removal of this measure, the presence of Serbian goods in Kosovo has begun to increase. Official data show that Serbian products are marking a gradual increase in the market, while Albania has marked a decrease in exports to Kosovo.

Kosovo continues to be an interesting market for Albania and Serbia. Both of these countries are sometimes in a "race" for the market. Until a month ago, Serbia seemed to be losing the Kosovo market, but the goods of this country have started to return.

Unfortunately, the situation has started to change with Albania, as there has been a decline in exports to Kosovo. The latest Kosovo Customs statistics, related to imports with the CEFTA countries, show a gradual but not very strong return of Serbia to the Kosovo market.

Meanwhile, based on customs statistics, there has been a large decrease in the import of goods from Albania in the last two or three months.

Trade statistics for the months of July-October reveal interesting facts and show the movements that have been made.

From July to October, imports from Serbia followed a slow upward trend. In July, imports were 7.3 million euros, while in October they reached 10.8 million euros, reflecting the gradual re-entry into the Kosovo market after the lifting of the measure.

Unlike Serbia, Albania has recorded a continuous decline in exports to Kosovo. From Euro 27.3 million in July, imports with Albania fell to Euro 14.3 million in October. This trend may signal a profound change in the commercial preferences of Kosovar consumers or changes in prices and competition between goods.

Meanwhile, trade with North Macedonia has been stable and growing. This country remains an important trading partner for Kosovo with import values ??reaching over Euro 20 million for October, a figure higher than that of previous months.

These data suggest a slightly different economic reality for Kosovo, after the removal of the restriction on Serbian goods.

Kosovo imports most products from countries in the region and beyond. The value of imports last year was over Euro 5.9 billion, while the value of exports was over Euro 863 million.

For years, products from Serbia have been among the most dominant in the Kosovo market. According to the Statistics Agency of Kosovo, in 2022, Kosovo imported goods from Serbia worth over Euro 372 million, while in 2023 it was approximately Euro 199 million. In 2021, it was Euro 306.3 million. In 2020, it was only Euro 174 million.

According to a study by the Kosovar Business Alliance about Kosovo-Albania trade exchanges for 2023, it appears that they have increased significantly compared to 2022.

Kosovo imported from Albania about Euro 326 million, while Kosovo businesses exported to Albania Euro 113 million. If compared with the year 2022, commercial exchanges were Euro 356 million, while in 2023, Euro 439 million, or with an increase of about Euro 83 million or over 23% more.

The Kosovo government imposed a ban on the import of goods from Serbia in July 2023 for security reasons, after three Kosovo police officers were arrested by the Serbian police.

Although they were later released, the ruling on Serbian goods remained in force.

However, on October 7 of this year, the Government of Kosovo overturned the decision to ban the import of goods originating from Serbia with a new one, which allows import, but only through the border in Merdare and with detailed security control.