Albania's trade gap expands 89% y/y in Jan

Exports fell by 29% on the year in January, to some 29 billion leks, while imports grew by 3.4% to some 60 billion leks, INSTAT said in a statement on Monday.

A drop in the exports of minerals, fuels and electricity, shoes, textiles, building materials and metals contributed to the overall decline in exports, whereas exports of chemical and plastic products and food, beverage and tobacco increased slightly.

Italy remained Albania's main trading partner in January, absorbing Albanian exports worth 14.5 billion leks and providing imports worth 12.1 billion leks.

In 2023, Albania's trade deficit decreased by 6.7%, reaching 432.3 billion leks, the stats office said earlier.

(1 euro = 103.7 leks)