The positive progress of exports lasted only one month, while in May, they returned to the decline, influenced by the contraction of sales abroad of textiles and shoes food products, beverages, and tobacco.

Albania's trade deficit expanded 9% year-on-year in May, to Lek 35 billion (Dollar 374 million/Euro 349 million), the national statistical office said on Tuesday.

Exports dropped 12.4% on the year to some Lek 35 billion, whereas imports edged down 1.6% to some Lek 79 billion, INSTAT said in a monthly statement.

A decrease in the exports of shoes and textiles, foods, beverages and tobacco, and chemical and plastic products contributed to the annual decline.

In May, Italy continued to be Albania's primary trading partner, with Albanian exports to Italy totaling Lek 14.5 billion and imports from Italy amounting to Lek 18 billion.

In May, the countries with which Albania had the largest increase in exports, compared to May 2023, were: Kosovo (3.9%), North Macedonia (20.0%), China (80.5%), etc. While the countries with which exports have had the biggest decrease were: Italy (23.7%), Greece (2.7%) and Germany (1.5%).

During these five months, the country with which Albania had the largest increase in exports, compared to a year ago, was: China (34.9%). The countries with which exports have had the greatest increase were: Italy (15.6%), Kosovo (2.6%) and Greece (26.6%).

In May 2024, the countries with which Albania had the largest increase in imports were: Turkey (17.3%), Greece (4.2%), and Spain (1.9%). While the countries with which imports have had the biggest decrease were: Italy (3.2%), China (23.2%) and Germany (6.8%).

During these five months, the countries with which Albania had the largest increase in imports, compared to a year ago, were: Turkey (21.4%), Greece (18.4%), and Germany (5.0%). ). While the countries with which imports have had the biggest decrease were: Italy (5.0%), China (11.1%) and North Macedonia (15.1%).

Trade exchanges with EU countries account for 57.3% of all trade. In May 2024, exports to EU countries account for 68.2% of total exports, and imports from EU countries account for 52.5% of total imports.

The main trading partners are Italy (28.5%), China (7.4%), Turkey (7.4%) and Greece (7.2%). Trade exchanges, for the first five months of 2024, with EU countries account for 58.4% of all trade.

In the period January - May 2024, exports to EU countries account for 72.0% of total exports, and imports from EU countries account for 52.2% of total imports.

In 2023, Albania's trade deficit decreased by 6.7%, reaching 432.3 billion leks, INSTAT has said.