Southern Albania Olive Farming Sector Set to Grow

TIRANA, September 8

Different parts of Albania have a great potential for olive cultivation and it can raise employment opportunities in rural areas. Thus a new program on sustainable development of this sector aims at approaching the Albanian legislation with the European Union (EU) framework.
During 2015, farmers all over Albania increased investments on olive plants and their sub-products. A total of 12,000 tons of olive fruit was produced and half of it was exported.
Experts from the agricultural sector say that Vlora Region ranks first in the country for olive oil production and export. The same specialists say that if farmers would invest more in this sector, the Region would have more incomes from agriculture.
Not only Vlora but also the Riviera and the entire southern region had a plenteous harvest during the last year. The olive oil produced in the region is recognized as a high-quality product.

Since 2010, over 450 farmers received financial support for olive oil cultivation, while production in 2015 was twofold compared to the previous year.According to USAID Albania there are about ten million olive trees in the country.

News Source: ATA

Photo Credit: USAID Albania