Production of tobacco in Albania has had a long-standing tradition. Tobacco as raw material for cigarette manufacturing industry recorded higher production rates in the period before 1990, which was destroyed after the socialist economy collapse.
Last year, 3000 tons of tobacco, or 6.7% more compared to a year ago were produced in Albania. This amount was one of the highest in the production of tobacco in recent years. A portion of domestic production goes to domestic consumption and the rest goes for export
Source: Institute of Statistics (INSTAT)
Analysis: ODA
Tobacco outpit during 2005-2014 (in thousand ton)
Source: Institute of Statistics (INSTAT)
Analysis: ODA
This output growth has led to the increase of exports. During the last year, about 1.73 thousand tons of tobacco were exported. Compared with a year earlier, the amount of tobacco exported increased by 12.4%. Exports in 2009 reached the minimum levels with 651 tons of tobacco. The main export destinations of tobacco are Kosovo, Greece, Libya etc.
Source: Institute of Statistics (INSTAT)
Analysis: ODA
The amount of tobacco that Albania produces and trades in the foreign market is considerably lower than the amount that enters in the country for consumption. Our country has imported cigarettes on continous basis mainly processed cigarettes. Compared to 2010, imports in the coming years have declined. In 2014 imports were 3,216 tons, or 23.8% less. But although the imports amount curve has slight fluctuations, indicators in terms of value have significantly fluctuated. If we compare the amount rates of 2005 to 2013, a 48% increase is obvious due to the continuous enhancement of the tobacco excise tax.
The main suppliers of Albania with tobacco are countries such as Poland, Greece, Germany, Switzerland, Bulgaria etc.
Source: Institute of Statistics (INSTAT)
Analysis: ODA
Source: Institute of Statistics (INSTAT)
Analysis: ODA
Import covers the most part of domestic consumption. According to an assessment of the amount of imported tobacco and cigarettes plus the part of output that is not exported as domestic consumption, it turns out that although declining, 2014 imports record about 72% of domestic consumption. Official statements on imports of tobacco in 2014, underline that this situation is due to the non-performance of excise collection in compliance with the schedule.
Source: Institute of Statistics (INSTAT)
Analysis: ODA
Tobacco consumption during 2005-2014 (in ton) and the weight of imports against consumption
Source: Institute of Statistics (INSTAT)
Analysis: ODA
Albania ranks alongside countries with high tobacco consumption. According to the World Health Organization WHO, more than 15,000 children under the age of 18 consume cigarettes every day and more than 529,000 adults continue to consume it. According to reports from this organization, the number of cigarettes consumed per capita in 2012 is estimated to be 1 116 cigarettes.