Agriculture in Albania

Agriculture in Albania is still a significant sector of the economy of Albania, which contributes to 22.5% of the country's GDP.^[1] The country spans 28,748 square kilometres (11,100 square miles) of which 24% is agricultural land, 36% forest land, 15% pasture and meadow and 25% urban areas including lakes, waterways, unused rocky and mountain land.^[2] It can be separated into three main zones such as the lowland zone alongside the coastline of the country, the hill zone in the lowland and the mountain zone.

The country encompasses coastal plains in the west to the Albanian Alps in the north, the Sharr Mountains in the northeast, Skanderbeg Mountains in the center, Korab Mountains in the east, Pindus Mountains in the southeast and Ceraunian Mountains in the southwest along the Albanian Riviera. The Mediterranean Sea, which includes the Adriatic and Ionian, makes up the entire west border of Albania.

The country experiences mostly mediterranean climate with continental influences.^[3] That means that the climate is characterised by mild winters and hot, dry summers. The warmest areas of the country are along the west, where climate is profoundly impacted by the sea. The coldest parts of the country are at the north and east, where snowy forested climate is prevalent.

In 1990, domestic farm products accounted for 63% of household expenditures and 25% of exports.^[4] As part of the pre-accession process of Albania to the European Union, farmers are being aided through IPA funds to improve the Albanian agriculture standards.^[5]

As of the Ministry of Agriculture the exports of vegetables and fruits have doubled over the first months of 2017. However, the exports of fish, seafood and marine products have also increased by 35 percent.^[6]

One of the earliest farming sites in Europe has been found in Southeastern Albania.^[7]

^ Food and Agriculture Organization. "Albania: FAO Country Programming Framework in the Republic of Albania 2015-2017" (PDF). fao.org. p. 7.
^ Prof. Andrea Shundi. "Albania". fao.org. Archived from the original on 2004-10-31. Retrieved 2017-05-21.
^ Ministry of Environment of Albania. "Albania's Second National Communication to the Conference of Parties under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change" (PDF). unfccc.int. Tirana. p. 28.
^ This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: Zickel, Raymond E.; Iwaskiw, Walter R., eds. (1994). Albania: a country study (2nd ed.). Washington, D.C.: Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. pp. 133, 139. ISBN 0-8444-0792-5. OCLC 29360048.
^ "IPA National Programme 2011 for Albania Project Fiche 7: Support to Agriculture and Rural Development" (PDF). Retrieved 17 June 2016.
^ agroweb (26 April 2017). "Dyfishohet eksporti i fruta-perimeve, 3-fishohet ai i vezëve". agroweb.org (in Albanian). Archived from the original on 6 June 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
^ "UC Research Reveals One of the Earliest Farming Sites in Europe". Uc.edu. 2012-04-16. Archived from the original on 2015-09-10. Retrieved 2016-06-17.

[1] Food and Agriculture Organization. "Albania: FAO Country Programming Framework in the Republic of Albania 2015-2017" (PDF). fao.org. p. 7.

[2] Prof. Andrea Shundi. "Albania". fao.org. Archived from the original on 2004-10-31. Retrieved 2017-05-21.

[climate1-3] Ministry of Environment of Albania. "Albania's Second National Communication to the Conference of Parties under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change" (PDF). unfccc.int. Tirana. p. 28.

[:0-4] This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: Zickel, Raymond E.; Iwaskiw, Walter R., eds. (1994). Albania: a country study (2nd ed.). Washington, D.C.: Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. pp. 133, 139. ISBN 0-8444-0792-5. OCLC 29360048.

[5] "IPA National Programme 2011 for Albania Project Fiche 7: Support to Agriculture and Rural Development" (PDF). Retrieved 17 June 2016.

[6] roweb (26 April 2017). "Dyfishohet eksporti i fruta-perimeve, 3-fishohet ai i vezëve". agroweb.org (in Albanian). Archived from the original on 6 June 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2017.

[7] "UC Research Reveals One of the Earliest Farming Sites in Europe". Uc.edu. 2012-04-16. Archived from the original on 2015-09-10. Retrieved 2016-06-17.

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