Albania recorded a 4.9% rise in exports and a 1.4% drop in imports in March 2025, reducing the trade deficit by 6.5% compared to March 2024.
The trade deficit for March stood at 39 billion lek. For the first quarter of 2025, the deficit reached 102 billion lek.
Exports hit 34.9 billion lek in March, boosted mainly by minerals, fuels, and electricity, contributing 8.8 percentage points. Textiles and footwear added 1.2 points, while food and beverages added 0.6.
The main drags were construction materials and metals (-5.8 points), and chemicals and plastics (-0.4).
Imports totaled 73.8 billion lek, down mainly in machinery, construction materials, and chemicals. However, imports of energy and fuels increased.
Quarterly exports reached 100 billion lek (+4.7%), while imports fell to 202 billion lek (-3.5%) year-on-year.
By country, imports fell from Turkey (-19.7%), Germany (-12.2%), and Italy (-2.8%). Imports from China rose by 25.3%.
Kosovo was the standout market, with Albanian exports up 83.1% in March and 79% for the quarter. Exports to Greece (+13.2%) and Germany (+11.3%) also grew, while exports to Italy fell by 10.2%.
