The "Dairy Producers" Association has gathered in front of the Ministry of Agriculture to protest the 2026 national scheme.
Some of their banners carry calls such as "Stop milk imports", "Formalize the dairy market", "Boycott Serbian firms", etc.
"The scheme does not support us, the costs are high. The 2026 scheme was not what was discussed with us. Subsidize our oil. Increase support for livestock, block imports that compete with us," is their call.
Subsidies are one of their most vocal demands.
"We are asking for subsidies like the entire region. We have 7-8 times fewer subsidies than the region. Who should we compete with? We are asking for tax-free oil for farmers or for the government to make an adjustment to the sales tax," they say, also asking for a laboratory for product safety.
Currently, this sector is facing difficulties due to the increase in oil prices.
Their call is about the costs of livestock feed, fuel, basic expenses, and the lack of support from the state.
They also list informality and unequal VAT as factors that create difficulties for Albanian farmers.
"The government should establish a board for basket products because we cannot compete with European or regional farmers," the farmers said.
Today they are awaiting the formalization of a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Finance.