During the past year, grain imports (wheat for human consumption and corn for livestock) have suffered a historical record decline of about 26%, according to INSTAT data, which refer to foreign trade by chapter.

In total, 241 thousand tons of grain were imported last year from about 326 thousand tons in 2021. The war in Ukraine, which started at the end of February 2021, disrupted the markets initially for the security of bread, but soon trade and urbanization channels continued normally.

Albanian importers move part of the supplies from Russia to Serbia, but again our country recorded the lowest amount of cereal imports at least since 2005 when official data began to be reported.

Major flour importers claimed that there was a big drop in demand for flour last year.  After oversupply, which was carried out in March due to the fear of war in Ukraine, the minority market has withdrawn very small amounts of flour.  Importers claimed that grain imports are falling for two main reasons.  First, the decline of the population due to the mass emigration of young people and secondly, the reduction of the number of livestock.

The flour and dough processing industry is the first to feel the effects of immigration.  Those who leave are mainly young people, the age group that consumes more pastries.  Every time there is a wave of immigration, it is immediately reflected in the consumption of flour and bread, importers claim.

Official data on immigration to Great Britain and from Eurostat show that at least 20,000 Albanians sought asylum in EU countries and Britain in the first 9 months of last year.

Those who left are much more, taking into account departures in the form of studies, family reunification, work contracts and regular emigration to the USA and Canada.  High emigration and declining birth rates are shrinking the local population.

The rapid decline in livestock numbers has also shrunk grain consumption.  The shrinking population in rural areas and its rapid aging is rapidly reducing the number of animals.

Small farms with two or three heads of cattle, which make up the vast majority of livestock farms, are rapidly disappearing.

Only during 2021, according to official INSTAT data, the number of cattle decreased by 7%, while this year the contraction is expected to have been even higher, as many cattle were slaughtered for meat, as well as due to high food costs.

(Source: Monitor)