Albania’s trade deficit widened to ALL 47.6 billion in March 2026, up from ALL 42.4 billion in the same month a year earlier. Imports rose by 8.8% year-on-year to ALL 80.3 billion, driven by higher purchases of machinery, equipment and spare parts (13.3%), food, beverages and tobacco (8.9%), chemical and plastic products (9.5%), and construction materials and metals (10.5%). Among key trading partners, import growth was strongest from China (33.3%) and Germany (15.3%).
Exports increased at a slower pace, rising 4.1% to ALL 32.7 billion. This was supported by stronger sales of minerals, fuels and electricity (26%), machinery, equipment and spare parts (14.5%), and construction materials and metals (4.2%). These gains were partly offset by weaker shipments of textiles and footwear (-6.3%), as well as food, beverages and tobacco (-5.2%). Export growth was led by higher sales to Kosovo (7.2%) and Greece (38.3%), while exports declined to Italy (-7%) and Spain (-74.3%).
