Albania less competitive in 2024, export businesses fall

The strengthening of the euro is shifting the country's economy from exports to imports.

Official data from INSTAT for 2024 show that the number of exporting enterprises fell to 3,784, decreasing by 0.2%, compared to 2023, while the number of importing enterprises is 14,734 enterprises, increasing by 7.9%, compared to 2023.

In 2024, exports of goods are 373 billion lek, decreasing by 15.4% compared to 2023. While imports of goods reached the value of 894 billion lek, increasing by 2.5% compared to 2023.

In 2024, the share of exports to EU countries is 72% of goods exports, reaching a value of 267 billion lek. Exports to EU countries decreased by 15.5%, compared to 2023.

While the weight of imports from EU countries is 52% of imports of goods, reaching a value of 460 billion lek. Imports from these countries increased by 3.6%, compared to 2023.

During the period 2020-2024, partner countries in trade exchanges remain: Italy, Kosovo, Greece, Germany, China, Turkey, USA, etc.

In 2024, our main partner for exports and imports continues to be Italy. The value of exports to Italy is 163 billion lek, decreasing by 13.9%, compared to 2023. While the value of imports from Italy is 189 billion lek, decreasing by 2.3%, compared to 2023.

For 2024, more than half of exports are carried out by the 50 largest enterprises (55%), while more than half of imports are carried out by the 100 largest enterprises (53%).

In 2024, enterprises that export to 1 partner country dominate. They account for 29% of the value of exports, followed by enterprises that export to 3-5 partner countries (25%).

In 2024, companies importing from 10 or more partner countries will dominate. These companies will account for 58% of the value of imports, followed by companies importing from 3-5 partner countries (14%).

The number of exporting enterprises in 2024 is 3,784, decreasing by 0.2% compared to 2023. In 2024, the share of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises is 97%.

The weight of micro enterprises is 50%, small enterprises is 34%, medium enterprises is 14% and large enterprises is 3%.

In 2024, the number of importing enterprises is 14,734 enterprises, increasing by 7.9% compared to 2023. The share of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises is 99% of the total importing enterprises. The share of micro enterprises is 69%, small enterprises is 23%, medium-sized enterprises is 7% and large enterprises is 1%.

In 2024, enterprises operating in industry dominate exporting enterprises. These enterprises carry out 77% of the value of exports, decreasing by 19.3%, compared to 2023. Enterprises operating in trade dominate importing enterprises in 2024. These enterprises carry out 62% of the value of imports, increasing by 6.6%, compared to 2023./Monitor