Albania recorded strong growth in foreign trade in June 2026. According to the latest report from the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT), merchandise exports reached 35.4 billion lek, up 13.6 percent from a year earlier. Exports also increased 8.3 percent from May.
Imports climbed to 83.5 billion lek, marking a 9.1 percent annual increase. The trade deficit stood at 48 billion lek, up 6.1 percent year on year, but slightly down 0.4 percent from May.
Energy products and construction materials drove export growth. Minerals, fuels, and electricity made the largest contribution, followed by construction materials, metals, machinery, equipment, and spare parts.
Textiles and footwear remained the weakest-performing export sector. Wood and paper products, along with leather goods, also recorded declines.
Higher imports reflected stronger demand for fuels and energy, as well as food, beverages, tobacco, chemical products, and plastics.
Italy remained Albania’s largest trading partner. Exports to Italy rose 7.6 percent, while imports from Italy jumped 24.9 percent. Exports to Kosovo surged 38.5 percent, while shipments to Germany and North Macedonia declined.
Trade with European Union countries accounted for 58.4 percent of Albania’s total foreign trade. EU markets received 69.9 percent of Albanian exports and supplied 53.6 percent of the country’s imports.
Customs data also showed an improvement in the export-to-import coverage ratio, which reached 42.5 percent in June, up from 39 percent a year earlier. The increase points to a gradual strengthening of Albania’s export capacity.
The post Albania’s exports rise sharply in June appeared first on RTSH English.
