After a positive start, exports have returned to decline again in April. Data from the country's statistical office INSTAT revealed that in April 2025, exports of goods decreased compared to the same period a year earlier.

This decline comes while in March, sales abroad had increased by 4.9%. All groups, except minerals and machinery, and equipment, decreased in April.

During April, the following groups contributed to the decline in exports: “Construction materials and metals” with 6.1 percentage points, “Textiles and footwear” with 1.3 pps, “Chemical and plastic products” with 0.8 pps, etc. While the groups “Minerals, fuels, electricity” with 3.4 pps, “Machinery, equipment and spare parts” with 1.1 pps had a positive impact.

Albania's trade deficit increased by 4.3% year-on-year to Lek 43 billion (Dollar 494 million/Euro 438 million) in April, the national statistical office said on Monday.

Exports fell 4.1% on the year in March, to some Lek 33 billion, while imports ticked up 0.4% to some Lek 76 billion, INSTAT said in a monthly statement.

The drop in exports was driven by declines in the outbound of construction materials and metals, by 6.1 percentage points (pp), shoes and textiles, by 1.3 percentage points, and chemical and plastics, by 0.8 pp.

Italy remained Albania's main trading partner in April, with Albanian exports to the country totaling about Lek 12.6 billion and imports from the country amounting to Lek 15.5 billion.

In 2024, Albania's trade deficit increased by 20.7%, reaching Lek 522 billion, the stats office said earlier.