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Integration of the Albanian a gricultural market into the regional and EU mar k et s. Shkelzen Marku MSc. Director-General of Agriculture Policies Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Protection, Albania. Introduction.
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Integration of the Albanian agricultural market into the regional and EU markets Shkelzen Marku MSc. Director-General of Agriculture Policies Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Protection, Albania
Introduction • Albania actually has signed the SAA with the EU, which needs to be ratifyed from the member countries during the next months. • Albania became member of WTO in 2000; • Eight FTAs are already signed with countries in the region; • New FTA with Turkey ready for approval in parliaments; • CEFTA still under negotiation within all regional countries; • Export / import ration for food products about 1:7;
Balkans, Trade with the EU Balkans,Trade with the World
Albanian export to EU Albanian Imports from EU Rank of Albania in EU trade
Top 10 export-to-import destinations for 2005 Evolution of export/import coverage
Exports Italy 38%, Kosovo 16% Greece 16% Germany 11% Imports Greece 21% Italy 18% Main agriculture trade partners of Albania in 2005
Trade Liberalization: Evolution of trade-weighted MFN average import tariffs in Albania
Challenges for agricultural marketing in Albania • Small and fragmented production offer, • Marketing infrastructure (collection, sorting, grading, packing), • Supply chains and marketing linkages, • Food standards and certification, • Traceability system, • Production methods, procedures, technologies, • Training of inspectors, • Waste management, • Information: • Marketing (food-industry producers, traders, consumers) • Export standards and terms of the EU common market
Closing Comments and Open Questions • Increasing but still limited regional trade (main issues: infrastructure, fragmented offer, business linkages, administrative procedures, information, etc.); • EU main trade partner for most SEE countries (mainly imports, while exports still very limited by NTB). Could we succeed with the scrutiny inspections of EU officials??? • Regional agriculture still suffers form structural and other problems. Could our products really compete with highly subsidized EU products??? • Free trade agreements – difficult to management and not fully effective. Will CEFTA be more practical for businesses??? • Regional cooperation and exchange on trade development within the region needs more attention. Could we be more effective???