TIRANA, Feb 21 /ATA/ In January, Albania’s foreign trade in goods was marked by an increase in exports to Germany and Greece, while a decline was observed in exports to Italy and Kosovo, compared with the corresponding period of the previous year. 

According to official data, in January 2026 the countries with which Albania recorded the largest decreases in exports, compared with January 2025, were Italy with a decline of 3.6% and Kosovo with a decline of 2%. 

Italy remains Albania’s principal trading partner, and therefore any fluctuation in this market is strongly reflected in the overall level of exports. 

In contrast, Albania experienced its most notable export growth toward Germany, which rose by 30.2%, and Greece, which rose by 31.8%. These trends highlight the increasing penetration of Albanian products into European Union markets and indicate a deliberate shift toward deeper engagement with the bloc’s major economies. 

Regarding imports, the most substantial declines were once again observed with Italy, at 10.3%, and with Greece, at 3.3%, underscoring a contraction in supplies from these markets compared with the previous year. 

Conversely, the strongest increases in imports were registered from Turkey, at 13.5%, and from China, at 1.8%. 

With regard to imports, the most significant declines were once again registered with Italy, at 10.3%, and with Greece, at 3.3%, thereby indicating a contraction in supplies from these markets relative to the same period of the previous year. 

In January 2026, Albania’s imports showed the largest increases from Turkey (13.5%) and China (1.8%). Overall, trade exchanges with European Union countries accounted for 55.4% of Albania’s total trade, with exports to the EU comprising 74.1% of total exports and imports from the EU accounting for 46.8% of total imports. 

/sm/