In the Korca district of Albania, farmers have reported a recent uptick in the sales of apples, onions, and potatoes. This shift is attributed to two primary factors: a strategic reduction in product prices by the farmers themselves, and enhanced customs measures implemented by the Albanian government. The latter includes both an increase in the customs references for imported goods and heightened scrutiny of agricultural products at customs points.
Petraq Andoni, an apple picker from Zvirinë, highlighted the impact of these changes, noting a gradual but noticeable increase in apple sales. "The purchase of apples has moved in the last few days because it happened that we lowered the price a little, it went up and a few references at customs, maybe something is moving," Andoni explained. Similarly, onion producer Besnik Dervishaj acknowledged the dual effect of price adjustments and more rigorous customs checks on sales. Arben Dulellari, the director of agriculture in Maliqi, confirmed that these government measures are intended to bolster local farmers by regulating the influx of foreign agricultural products.
The municipality of Maliqi has produced significant quantities of these staple crops this year, with 16,000 tons of apples, 25,000 tons of onions, and 23,000 tons of potatoes, underscoring the importance of these measures for local agriculture.
Source: euronews.al
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