Open Data Albania has undertaken a research on trading volume of chrome during 2005-2013. During 1970-1990 , Albania was the first producer of chromium in Europe and ranked second in the world in the export and manufacturing of this product. Currently all the chromium explored in the country is being exported , as there is no heavy industry which provides domestic  demand for this mineral.

During 2005-2011 the annual export quantity increased significantly . There has been a contraction durig 2008 and 2009, also during 2011 dhe 2012.  Despite oscillations, the quantity exported is several times higher than the quantity exported in 2005. In 2013, there were exported 910 thousand tons with a value of 13.5 billion All.


Source: INSTAT
Processing and comments: ODA

The significant growth versus year 2005 comes as a result of expansion of operators that explore and export chrome . There are about 130 exploitation permits in the area of Bulqiza, while the total, in all country exceed 900 .

But the growth of chromium price rise in international stock markets has prompted the sales value, despite the fall in quantity . In total , at the end of 2012 there were exported 11.3 billion All with a slight increase of 2.7 % against 2011. In the past three years,  chrome exports  in value have expanded fast and in a very dynamic  way.


Source: INSTAT
Processing and comments: ODA

The quantity exported in 2012 came due to financial problems and internal management of AlbChrome , the company that manages the largest chromium mine in the country. This company was sold in 2013 to the local business group , Balfin Group , which has started investing in technology , better conditions and expansion of the mine, also in exploration areas.

Imports of this mineral are at minimal levels , mainly used to mix the chrome that after is being exported. During 2012 only 80 kg of chrome were imported with a value of approximately 1.13 million All.


Source: INSTAT
Processing and comments: ODA

Albania is far from the levels of 1990, when it ranked as the second exporter of this mineral in the world. After  the economic model changed in 1992 , the minerals industry shrank in Albania and encountered many technical problems pushing it to the collapse. 45-years of isolation brought the industry to a scarcity of resources, insufficient machinery and significant environmental consequences.

Bulqiza is the largest field chromium, where it operates AlbChrome. By reserves in the area of Bulqiza the country is ranked fourth in the world for chrome reserves , while the quality remains low and therefore chrome ore exported from Albania is mixed with other minerals chromium to gain value. According to data from the National Natural Resources Authority in the depths of the largest mine in the country , the bloc of reserves amount to 4 million tons of chrome. Up to now there have been exploited about 13 million.