Agriculture in Albania

Last updated
The Albanian Riviera and its olive and citrus plantations. Albaniens kust.jpg
The Albanian Riviera and its olive and citrus plantations.

Agriculture in Albania is still a significant sector of the economy of Albania, which contributes to 22.5% of the country's GDP. [1] The country spans 28,748 square kilometres (11,100 square miles) of which 24% is agricultural land, 36% forest land, 15% pasture and meadow and 25% urban areas including lakes, waterways, unused rocky and mountain land. [2] It can be separated into three main zones such as the lowland zone alongside the coastline of the country, the hill zone in the lowland and the mountain zone.

Contents

The country encompasses coastal plains in the west to the Albanian Alps in the north, the Sharr Mountains in the northeast, Skanderbeg Mountains in the center, Korab Mountains in the east, Pindus Mountains in the southeast and Ceraunian Mountains in the southwest along the Albanian Riviera. The Mediterranean Sea, which includes the Adriatic and Ionian, makes up the entire west border of Albania.

The country experiences mostly mediterranean climate with continental influences. [3] That means that the climate is characterised by mild winters and hot, dry summers. The warmest areas of the country are along the west, where climate is profoundly impacted by the sea. The coldest parts of the country are at the north and east, where snowy forested climate is prevalent.

In 1990, domestic farm products accounted for 63% of household expenditures and 25% of exports. [4] As part of the pre-accession process of Albania to the European Union, farmers are being aided through IPA funds to improve the Albanian agriculture standards. [5]

As of the Ministry of Agriculture the exports of vegetables and fruits have doubled over the first months of 2017. However, the exports of fish, seafood and marine products have also increased by 35 percent. [6]

One of the earliest farming sites in Europe has been found in Southeastern Albania. [7]

Aquaculture

A mussel cultivation facility in Lake Butrint. Albanien (16) Lake Butrint.jpg
A mussel cultivation facility in Lake Butrint.

Both the Adriatic and Ionian Sea inside the Mediterranean Sea are a source of salt water fishing, while fresh water fishing occurs on Lake Butrint, Lake Shkodër, Lake Ohrid, Lake Prespa as well as in Karavasta Lagoon, Narta Lagoon and Patos Lagoon. The country's coast is estimated to be 381 kilometres (237 mi) long. [8] The country's great availability of water gives the underdeveloped fishing industry great potential to become a major part of the local economy. [9] [10] [11] Although the fishing industry is still in a transition process despite significant development and processing capacities inherited from the past.

Fish farming in Zus, Shkoder County. Zus, Albania - panoramio.jpg
Fish farming in Zus, Shkodër County.

Extensive marine fish cultivation has been practiced in the country in the 1950s. [12] The marine finfish industry is an inshore and offshore sea cage-farming sector. Trouts are developed mainly in the southeast, southwest and north, while carps are primary found in the center and north. Marine finfish culture is dominated by species including rainbow trout, european bass, gilt-head bream, common carp, silver carp, bighead carp, grass carp and ohrid trout. [13] [14]

Mussels are widespread throughout the south of the country and particularly cultivated in Lake Butrint along the proximity to the Ionian Sea. [15] In 1980, almost 80 mussel cultivation facilities were constructed with an average production of about 2,000 tonnes per year, while in 1989 it increased to 5,000 tonnes per year. [15] [16] Although in Shëngjin operates as well a smaller facility of about 100 hectares. Following the end of communism and outbreak of cholera in 1990, the production declined sharply and opened again in 2000. [15] [17] [13]

The cultivation of shrimps began around the end of communism in Albania. [13] The country's only extensive shrimp cultivation facility is located in Narta Lagoon, whence the Vjosa River drains into the Adriatic Sea. Within the Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park, there has been 50 species of crustaceans recorded which indicates that the region is a potential location for cultivation. [18]

Viticulture

Grapes in Berat. Berat kale - panoramio.jpg
Grapes in Berat.

Albania is the 42nd largest producer of wine in the world. The country has one of Europe`s longest history of viticulture and belongs chronologically to the old world of wine producing countries. [19] [20] [21] [22] The most important wine regions of the country are located in the center but also the mountainous areas in the north, east and south. [23] [24] Following the end of communism in the 20th century, the development and fortunes of the Albanian wine industry were deeply influenced by the economic influences of the country.

In 1912, gained widespread popularity among the local population but was almost destroyed in 1933 by phylloxera. A significant upturn began only after the Second World War, at the end of which wine was still cultivated on only 2,737 hectares (27.37 km2). The most producing region of wine was Durrës County, where grapes was grown on communist state enterprises. In that time the nationwide acreage corresponded approximately to that of tobacco, but was significantly lower than that of olive and fruit trees. The exported wine was consumed primarily in Western Europe such as in Germany.

Moreover, the exports of wine decreased continuously from 61,000 hectoliters in 1971 to 22,000 hectoliters in 1985. The reasons are to be found mainly in outdated production conditions and insufficient technical material that made it difficult to transport and lowered the quality. On the other hand, the export of easily transportable graisins was continuously in increase (up to 3500 tons per year), while the export of fresh grapes was marginal.

Production

Albanian sheep pasture Albania pasture.jpg
Albanian sheep pasture

The main agricultural products in the country are tobacco, figs, olives, wheat, maize, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar beets, grapes, meat, honey, dairy products, and medicinal and aromatic plants.

Exports of medicinal and aromatic plants in 2020 totaled 14,000 tonnes worth US$59 million. Cultivation of nettles, cowslip, lavender, sage and other herbal plants employ some 100,000 Albanians. [25]

Agriculture accounts for 18.9% of the GDP and a large portion of the exports. However, it is limited primarily to small family operations and subsistence farming because of lack of modern equipment, unclear property rights, and the prevalence of small, inefficient plots of land. The post-1990 land fragmentation, uncertain land ownership, lack of state registries and bank crediting, and high VAT are all obstacles to a modern agricultural industry. There is also a concern that agricultural products originating from Albania are being stamped as 'Product of Turkey' for the international market.[ citation needed ]

Albania has soils and a climate favorable to an extensive lumber industry. [4] Many of the historic forests of Albania were destroyed with inefficient wood industry and expanse of agricultural land in the 1990s. Today, forests cover about one third of Albania's land area and, due to an agreement with Italy and the World Bank, there is a large amount of reforestation underway.[ citation needed ]

Albania is the 11th largest producer of olive oil. [26]

Albania produced in 2018:

In addition to smaller productions of other agricultural products, like melon (41 thousand tons), plum (41 thousand tons), oat (34 thousand tons), sugar beet (27 thousand tons), fig (24 thousand tons), peach (19 thousand tons) and pear (13 thousand tons). [27] [ failed verification ]

Horticulture

Albania produces a wide variety of fruits, nuts and vegetables, while its production is constantly growing. [28]

International rankings

Crop (total production)RankCountries reviewed
Plums and Sloes [29] (Total production) 20143185
Grapes [30] (Total production) 20143690
Watermelones [31] (Total production) 201440130
Fruits [32] (Total production; without melones) 201498205
Figs [33] (Total production) 20141152
Cucumbers [34] (Total production) 201439133

See also

Further reading

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Economy of Albania</span> National economy

The economy of Albania went through a process of transition from a centralized economy to a market-based economy on the principles of the free market.

The agricultural history of Peru is the history of agriculture, cultivation of plants and herbs and general changes in the history of farming in Peru or its historical regions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Australia</span> Overview of agriculture in Australia

Although Australia is mostly arid, the nation is a major agricultural producer and exporter, with over 325,300 employed in agriculture, forestry and fishing as of February 2015. Agriculture and its closely related sectors earn $155 billion-a-year for a 12% share of GDP. Farmers and grazers own 135,997 farms, covering 61% of Australia's landmass. Across the country there is a mix of irrigation and dry-land farming. Australia leads the world with 35 million hectares certified organic, which is 8.8% of Australia's agricultural land and Australia now accounts for more than half (51%) of the world's certified organic agriculture hectares. The success of Australia to become a major agricultural power despite the odds is facilitated by its policies of long-term visions and promotion of agricultural reforms that greatly increased the country's agricultural industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Nigeria</span> Overview of agriculture in Nigeria

Agriculture in Nigeria is a branch of the economy in Nigeria, providing employment for about 35% of the population as of 2020. As reported by the FAO, agriculture remains the foundation of the Nigerian economy, despite the presence of oil in the country. It is the main source of livelihood for most Nigerians. The Agricultural sector is made up of four sub-sectors: Crop Production, Livestock, Forestry and Fishing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Iran</span> Economic sector in Iran

Roughly one-third of Iran's total surface area is suited for farmland, but because of poor soil and lack of adequate water distribution in many areas, most of it is not under cultivation. Only 12% of the total land area is under cultivation but less than one-third of the cultivated area is irrigated; the rest is devoted to dryland farming. Some 92 percent of agricultural products depend on water. The western and northwestern portions of the country have the most fertile soils. Iran's food security index stands at around 96 percent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Kyrgyzstan</span> Agriculture of Kyrgyzstan

Agriculture in Kyrgyzstan is a significant sector of the economy. According to the CIA World Factbook, it comprises 18% of the total GDP and occupies 48% of the total labor force. Only 6.8% of the total land area is used for crop cultivation, but 44% of the land is used as pastures for livestock. Because of the many mountains of Kyrgyzstan, animal husbandry remains a significant part of the agricultural economy.

Agriculture in Lithuania dates to the Neolithic period, about 3,000 to 1,000 BC. It has been one of Lithuania's most important occupations for many centuries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Israel</span>

Agriculture in Israel is a highly developed industry. Israel is a major exporter of fresh produce and a world-leader in agricultural technologies despite the fact that the geography of the country is not naturally conducive to agriculture. More than half of the land area is desert, and the climate and lack of water resources do not favor farming. Only 20% of the land area is naturally arable. In 2008 agriculture represented 2.5% of total GDP and 3.6% of exports. While farmworkers made up only 3.7% of the work force, Israel produced 95% of its own food requirements, supplementing this with imports of grain, oilseeds, meat, coffee, cocoa and sugar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Madagascar</span> Economic sector in Madagascar

Agriculture employs the majority of Madagascar's population. Mainly involving smallholders, agriculture has seen different levels of state organisation, shifting from state control to a liberalized sector.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Algeria</span>

Agriculture in Algeria composes 25% of Algeria's economy and 12% of its GDP in 2010. Prior to Algeria’ colonization in 1830, nonindustrial agriculture provided sustenance for its population of approximately 2-3 million. Domestic agriculture production included wheat, barley, citrus fruits, dates, nuts, and olives. After 1830, colonizers introduced 2200 individual farms operated by private sectors. Colonial farmers continued produce a variety of fruits, nuts, wheat, vegetables. Algeria became a large producer of wine during the late 19th century due to a crop epidemic that spread across France. Algeria's agriculture evolved after independence was achieved in 1962. The industry experienced multiple policy changes modernize and decry on food imports. Today, Algeria's agriculture industry continues to expand modern irrigation and size of cultivable land.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Lebanon</span>

Agriculture in Lebanon is the third most productive sector in the country after the tertiary and industrial sectors. It contributes 5 percent of GDP and 8 percent of the effective labor force. The sector includes a large informal Syrian labor and is dependent on foreign labor for its productivity. Main crops include cereals, fruits and vegetables, olives, grapes, and tobacco, along with sheep and goat herding. Mineral resources are limited and are only exploited for domestic consumption. Lebanon, which has a variety of agricultural lands, from the interior plateau of the Beqaa Valley to the narrow valleys leading downward to the sea, enables farmers to grow both European and tropical crops. Tobacco and figs are grown in the south, citrus fruits and bananas along the coast, olives in the north and around the Shouf Mountains, and fruits and vegetables in the Beqaa Valley. More exotic crops include avocados, grown near Byblos, and hashish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Armenia</span>

Armenia has 2.1 million hectares of agricultural land, 72% of the country's land area. Most of this, however, is mountain pastures, and cultivable land is 480,000 hectares, or 16% of the country's area. In 2006, 46% of the work force was employed in agriculture, and agriculture contributed 21% of the country's GDP. In 1991 Armenia imported about 65 percent of its food.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Georgia (country)</span>

Georgia’s climate and soil have made agriculture one of its most productive economic sectors; the 18 percent of Georgian land that is arable provided 32 percent of the republic's NMP in 1990. In the Soviet period, swampy areas in the west were drained and arid regions in the east were salvaged by a complex irrigation system, allowing Georgian agriculture to expand production tenfold between 1918 and 1980. Production was hindered in the Soviet period, however, by the misallocation of agricultural land such as the assignment of prime grain fields to tea cultivation and excessive specialization. Georgia’s emphasis on labor-intensive crops such as tea and grapes kept the rural work force at an unsatisfactory level of productivity. Some 25 percent of the Georgian work force was engaged in agriculture in 1990; 37 percent had been so engaged in 1970.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Portugal</span>

Agriculture in Portugal is based on small to medium-sized family-owned dispersed units; however, the sector also includes larger-scale intensive farming export-oriented agrobusinesses backed by companies. The extent of cooperative organisation has been reaching a greater importance with globalization. Portugal produces a wide variety of products, including green vegetables, rice, corn, wheat, barley, olives, oilseeds, nuts, cherries, bilberry, table grapes and edible mushrooms. Forestry has also played an important economic role among the rural communities and industry. In 2013, the gross agricultural product accounted for 2.4% of the GDP. Portugal is the largest world producer of both cork and carob, as well as the third largest exporter of chestnut and the third largest European producer of pulp. Portugal is among the top ten largest olive oil producers in the world and is the fourth biggest exporter. The country is also one of the world's largest exporters of wine, being reputed for its fine wines. The land area of slightly more than 9.2 million hectares was classified as follows : 2,755 arable land and permanent crops, 530 permanent pasture, 3,640 forest and woodland, and 2,270 other land.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Morocco</span>

Agriculture in Morocco employs about 40% of the nation's workforce. Thus, it is the largest employer in the country. In the rainy sections of the northwest, barley, wheat, and other cereals can be raised without irrigation. On the Atlantic coast, where there are extensive plains, olives, citrus fruits, and wine grapes are grown, largely with water supplied by artesian wells. Livestock are raised and forests yield cork, cabinet wood, and building materials. Part of the maritime population fishes for its livelihood. Agadir, Essaouira, El Jadida, and Larache are among the important fishing harbors. Both the agriculture and fishing industries are expected to be severely impacted by climate change.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Cyprus</span>

Agriculture in Cyprus constituted the backbone of its economy when it achieved its independence in 1960. It mostly consisted of small farms, and sometimes even subsistence farms. During the 1960s, irrigation projects made possible vegetable and fruit exports; increasingly commercialized farming was able to meet the demands for meat, dairy products, and wine from the British and United Nations troops stationed on the island and from the growing number of tourists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Spain</span> Overview of agriculture in Spain

Agriculture in Spain is important to the national economy. The primary sector activities accounting for agriculture, husbandry, fishing and silviculture represented a 2.7% of the Spanish GDP in 2017, with an additional 2.5% represented by the agrofood industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in South Africa</span>

Agriculture in South Africa contributes around 5% of formal employment, relatively low compared to other parts of Africa and the number is still decreasing, as well as providing work for casual laborers and contributing around 2.6 percent of GDP for the nation. Due to the aridity of the land, only 13.5 percent can be used for crop production, and only 3 percent is considered high potential land.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agriculture in Moldova</span>

Moldova is an agrarian-industrial state, with agricultural land occupying 2,499,000 hectares in a total area of 3,384,600 hectares. It is estimated that 1,810,500 of these hectares are arable. Moldova is located in Eastern Europe, and is landlocked, bordering Romania and Ukraine. Moldova's agricultural sector benefits from a geographical proximity to large markets, namely the European Union. As a share of GDP, agriculture has declined from 56% in 1995 to 13.8% in 2013. Data from 2015 estimated that agriculture accounted for 12% of Moldova's GDP. Agriculture as a sector is export-oriented, with the composition of Moldova's total exports containing agriculture and the agri-food sector as a main component. 70% of agri-food exports in 2012 included beverages, edible fruits and nuts, oilseeds, vegetable preparations and cereals. Here, fruits, vegetables and nuts were attributed to 33% of Moldova's exports for 2011–2013. Moldova is also one of the top ten apple exporters in the world. However, because of the long-term emphasis on fruit, vegetables are often imported.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Azerbaijani wine</span>

Azerbaijani wine is produced in several regions throughout Azerbaijan. Prior to 20th century communist rule, the region which makes up modern-day Azerbaijan had a thriving wine industry that dated back to the second millennium BC. Azerbaijan's long history of wine production was rediscovered at archaeological digs of settlements in Kültəpə, Qarabağlar and Galajig where archaeologists discovered stone fermentation and storage vessels that included residue and grape seeds dating back to the second millennium BC. The Ancient Greeks were well aware of wine production in the area by at least the 7th century BC according to Herodotus. Later Strabo would comment in the 1st century BC about an wine known as Albania from the region. Arabic historians and geographers—most notably Abu'l-Fida, Al-Masudi, Ibn Hawqal and Al-Muqaddasi - described the extensive viticulture around Ganja and Barda that was taking place even after Islamic conquest of the area.

References

  1. Food and Agriculture Organization. "Albania: FAO Country Programming Framework in the Republic of Albania 2015-2017" (PDF). fao.org. p. 7.
  2. Prof. Andrea Shundi. "Albania". fao.org.
  3. Ministry of Environment of Albania. "Albania's Second National Communication to the Conference of Parties under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change" (PDF). unfccc.int. Tirana. p. 28.
  4. 1 2 PD-icon.svgOne or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain :Zickel, Raymond E.; Iwaskiw, Walter R., eds. (1994). Albania: a country study (2nd ed.). Washington, D.C.: Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. pp. 133, 139. ISBN   0-8444-0792-5. OCLC   29360048.
  5. "IPA National Programme 2011 for Albania Project Fiche 7: Support to Agriculture and Rural Development" (PDF). Retrieved 17 June 2016.
  6. agroweb (26 April 2017). "Dyfishohet eksporti i fruta-perimeve, 3-fishohet ai i vezëve". agroweb.org (in Albanian).
  7. "UC Research Reveals One of the Earliest Farming Sites in Europe". Uc.edu. 2012-04-16. Archived from the original on 2015-09-10. Retrieved 2016-06-17.
  8. Sustainable Development of Sea-Corridors and Coastal Waters: The TEN ECOPORT project in South East Europe (Chrysostomos Stylios, Tania Floqi, Jordan Marinski, Leonardo Damiani ed.). Springer. 2015-04-07. p. 85. ISBN   9783319113852.
  9. Aleksander Flloko. "Fish marketing and trading in Albania" (PDF). faoadriamed.org. p. 5.
  10. Center for International Development, Harvard University. "INCREASING EXPORTS OF ALBANIAN CULTIVATED FISH TO THE EU" (PDF). growthlab.cid.harvard.edu.
  11. "Organic Agriculture in Albania" (PDF). orgprints.org. p. 7.
  12. University of British Columbia (2 July 2017). "Reconstruction of Albania fishery catches by fishing gear" (PDF). seaaroundus.org. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-07-02.
  13. 1 2 3 Food and Agriculture Organization. "Albania". fao.org.
  14. Viola Prifti and Fan Noli University. "ARTIFICIAL FERTILIZATION OF THE OHRID TROUT AND THE PRESENCE OF ITS SUMMER FORM IN THE LAKE" (PDF). animalsciencejournal.usamv.ro.
  15. 1 2 3 Center for International Development, Harvard University. "CONDITIONS FOR RE-OPENING EXPORTS OF ALBANIAN MUSSELS TO THE EU" (PDF). albania.growthlab.cid.harvard.edu. p. 4.
  16. Aleksi Pëllumb; Ceschia Giuseppe; Sulaj Kapllan. "First report of Marteiliosis in Mytilus galloprovincialis in Albania" (PDF). sipi-online.it. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-08-09. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  17. D Greco; I Luizzi; A Sallabanda; A Dibra; E Kacarricy; L Shapo (1995). "Cholera in the Mediterranean: outbreak in Albania". Eurosurveillance: 1–2. doi: 10.2807/esm.00.00.00125-en . PMID   29090677.
  18. Lefter KASHTA; Sajmir BEQIRAJ; Virginie TILOT; Violeta ZUNA; Eno DODBIBA. "THE FIRST MPA IN ALBANIA, SAZANI ISLAND – KARABURUNI PENINSULA, AS A REGIONAL PRIORITY CONSERVATION AREA FOR MARINE BIODIVERSITY" (PDF). zrsvn.si. p. 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-08-19. Retrieved 2017-12-17.
  19. Tom Stevenson (2011). The Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia. Dorling Kindersley. ISBN   978-1-4053-5979-5.
  20. PATTI MORROW (5 January 2017). "Why Albania Is A Great Destination For Wine Drinkers". epicureandculture.com.
  21. The Oxford Companion to Wine (Julia Harding, Jancis Robinson ed.). Oxford University Press, 2015. 2015. ISBN   9780198705383.
  22. The Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia (Tom Stevenson ed.). London: Dorling Kindersley. 2005. ISBN   0-7566-1324-8.
  23. Oxford Companion to Wine (Jancis Robinson ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2015. p. 10. ISBN   9780198705383.
  24. Petraq Ilollari (Sotiri) (2010). Vitis Vinifera në vendin tonë/Vitis Vinifera in Our Country. pp. 8–13.
  25. Mema, Briseida. "'Silver lining': Albania medicinal herbs bloom in pandemic". France24. Agence France-Presse. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  26. "Top 25 Olive Oil Producing Countries". Archived from the original on 2019-05-24. Retrieved 2017-04-16.
  27. Austria production in 2018, by FAO
  28. "COMPETITIVENESS OF ALBANIAN AGRICULTURE: VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS FOR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES SUB-SECTOR IN FIER REGION" (PDF). ifama.org.
  29. "Plums and sloes, production quantity (tons) - for all countries".
  30. "Grapes, production quantity (tons) - for all countries".
  31. "Watermelons, production quantity (tons) - for all countries".
  32. "Fruits without melons, total, production quantity (tons) - for all countries". factfish.com. Archived from the original on 2019-05-24. Retrieved 2017-04-16.
  33. "Figs, production quantity (tons) - for all countries". factfish.com.
  34. "Cucumbers and gherkins, production quantity (tons) - for all countries". factfish.com.