Librazhd-Pogradec axis blocked/ Paralysis of trade, 1.2 billion euros with Greece and the Republic of Macedonia and the impact on the economy

2026-02-23 09:37:27 / EKONOMI&SOCIALE ALFA PRESS
Librazhd-Pogradec axis blocked/ Paralysis of trade, 1.2 billion euros with

The blockage of movement in the southeast of the country also affects important border points with Greece and North Macedonia, with which there is significant trade activity, especially with the Hellenic state.

With these two countries, a trade volume of 117 billion lek was achieved in 2025 (imports + exports), or about 1.2 billion euros. According to INSTAT, this amount constitutes about one tenth of the total trade volume in the country (9.5%).

According to INSTAT data, in 2025, the trade volume with Greece (imports + exports) was 94 billion lek, or 960 million euros, constituting 7.6% of total trade.

70 billion lek of goods were imported from Greece. This country is the fourth largest import partner in the country, after Italy, China and Turkey, with 8% of the total. The main products imported from Greece are fuels, clothing items,; Preparations of vegetables, fruits, nuts, etc.; Plastics and articles thereof; Edible fruits and nuts (see chart).

Greece is the most important for our exports. The neighboring country is the third largest export partner, after Italy, of Kosovo, with 7% of the total, or 24 billion lek.

The main exported product is clothing items, due to the garment industry in the south of the country, which works with the neighboring country, followed by preparations made from vegetables, fruits, nuts, etc.

Interestingly, the trade balance for vegetables with Greece is very low, meaning that we export almost as much as we import.

North Macedonia is the seventh largest export partner (after Italy, Kosovo, Greece, Germany, Spain and China).

Around 9 billion lek, or 2.6% of the total, were exported to this country in 2025. The main exported product is fuels, followed by vegetables.

Imports from North Macedonia were 14 billion lek in 2025, or 1.5% of the total. The main imported products are fuels, followed by cement.

Fortunately, most of the country's trade is carried out through maritime transport, mainly at the Port of Durres, while the main partners are countries such as Italy, China and Turkey (although the latter also carries out road transport)./ Monitor

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