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Albania
(information)
Population as of 2020: 2.87 million 135 of 193
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Region: Eastern Europe
Nominal G.D.P. in 2024: $27.18 billion 113 of 193
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Top Exports
Albania’s export structure in **2024 (~$4.0 billion total exports)** is quite diversified for a small economy, with strength in **textiles/footwear, metals, energy, and agriculture**. | Rank | Export Category | Notes | | ---- | ----------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- | | 1 | **Textiles & footwear** | Largest sector (~28.7% of exports). | | 2 | **Minerals, fuels & electricity** | Includes crude oil, electricity exports. | | 3 | **Construction materials & metals** | Steel, iron products, cement. | | 4 | **Food, beverages & tobacco** | Agricultural and processed foods. | | 5 | **Machinery & equipment** | Smaller but growing sector. | Key individual export products (most valuable items) | Rank | Product | Notes | | ---- | --------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- | | 6 | **Crude petroleum** | One of the top individual exports. | | 7 | **Refined petroleum products** | Fuels and lubricants. | | 8 | **Electricity** | Exported regionally (hydropower-based). | | 9 | **Leather footwear** | Core manufacturing export. | | 10 | **Footwear parts** | Supply-chain exports to EU markets. | | 11 | **Non-knit apparel (garments)** | Contract manufacturing for Europe. | | 12 | **Knit apparel** | Another major textile export. | | 13 | **Iron & steel products** | Includes semi-finished iron. | | 14 | **Articles of iron or steel** | Fast-growing export category. | | 15 | **Chromium ore** | Albania is a notable chromium producer. | | 16 | **Copper ores & concentrates** | Mining export. | | 17 | **Ferroalloys** | Used in steelmaking. | | 18 | **Cement & construction materials** | Regional demand in Balkans. | | 19 | **Vegetables (fresh & processed)** | Includes tomatoes, herbs. | | 20 | **Medicinal & pharmaceutical products** | Smaller but present export category. | Key Takeaways * **Manufacturing-led exports:** Especially **footwear and garments**, often produced for EU brands. * **Resource exports matter:** Oil, chromium, copper, and electricity are significant contributors. * **EU dependence:** About **72% of exports go to EU countries**, especially Italy. Top Importers of Albania’s Exports | Rank | Country | Notes | | ---- | ------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 1 | **Italy** | By far the largest partner; receives textiles, footwear, oil, and metals. | | 2 | **Serbia** | Major regional partner; imports electricity, metals, and construction materials. | | 3 | **Germany** | Buys textiles, footwear, and industrial goods. | | 4 | **Spain** | Imports fuels, minerals, and agricultural goods. | | 5 | **Greece** | Neighboring trade partner; energy, food, and manufactured goods. | | 6 | **Kosovo** | Strong regional trade; electricity, food, and construction materials. | | 7 | **North Macedonia** | Imports electricity and industrial goods. | | 8 | **France** | Purchases textiles, footwear, and some metals. | | 9 | **United States** | Smaller but notable; includes oil and niche exports. | | 10 | **China** | Imports minerals such as chromium and copper ores. | Key Patterns * **Italy dominates**: Often accounts for **~45–50% of Albania’s exports** due to close industrial ties. * **EU-centric trade**: Most top partners are **European countries**, reflecting supply-chain integration. * **Regional Balkans trade**: Neighboring countries (Serbia, Greece, Kosovo, North Macedonia) are very important.
