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Olive oil is at risk of being banned from collection, the price drops to 500 lek per liter

2026-11-09 20:39:54Biznes SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

Olive oil is at risk of being banned from collection, the price drops to 500 lek

As processors and collectors warned at the beginning of October, the increase in olive production this year is being accompanied by a sharp drop in the price of olive oil at the collection point.

In Belsh and Elbasan, the price of extra virgin olive oil at the collection point has reached 500 lek per liter, down from 700 lek last year or 40% cheaper, while the unprofitable price for export and low demand in the country are bringing the collection to a halt. On the other hand, in some areas farmers are refusing to sell at these prices and are choosing to keep the oil at home.

Regarding the situation with olive oil, Monitor contacted several processors and collectors from different areas.

In the Belsh and Elbasan areas, processors claimed that oil is being collected at a price of 500 lek per liter. In the Lushnja area, the collection price fluctuates from 500 to 600 lek per liter.

Last year, processors were collecting prices of up to 700 lek per liter for extra virgin olive oil. Compared to previous years, the price of olive oil at the collection point has dropped by 20 to 40%.

Why has the price dropped in the collection?

Aldo Jolla, a processor, collector, and exporter of olive oil, told Monitor that the cause of the price drop is not a lack of production, but the closure of the export market and the decline in purchasing power for the domestic market.

He claims that currently the price of unrefined, unpackaged olive oil for export from Italian wholesalers is being asked at 2.5 euros per liter.

"At this price, I find it impossible to stockpile olive oil. I have nowhere to go at this price, as the oil is being demanded for export. Meanwhile, purchasing power in the domestic market has decreased. So far, I have not stockpiled any amount of oil. If the export price continues to remain at these levels, I do not see it profitable to stockpile a single drop of olive oil until the end of the harvest."

Jolla, a collector and exporter in the Belsh area, says that the unfavorable export price is forcing farmers to turn back production to keep it at home.

The situation is the same for the Elbasan area at the start of the olive harvest season.

Agron Çakalli, head of the Agricultural Federation of Elbasan (FEB) in Elbasan, told Monitor that this year's production is good. According to him, the increase in production is affecting the reduction of the price at the collection point.

"Currently, for extra virgin oil, the collection price reaches 500 lek per liter. Last year, the collection price was higher, reaching 700 lek per liter. The high price was influenced by low production. This year, production is higher, due to the cyclical nature of olive production. As a result, the price is also lower."

But according to Çakalli, the price drop is affecting the collection, which is coming to a halt.

Due to the high cost of production, from services and payments to harvesters, many farmers are refusing to sell the oil for collection, returning it to their homes.

"But this situation is expected to demotivate the farmer and prevent him from providing services for the olive tree next year. Given that this plant has a high production period, it is necessary for the state to intervene by subsidizing the price, especially for extra virgin oil, otherwise we risk neglecting the olive groves ," says Mr. Çakalli.

How is production affecting the price of collection?

In 2024, according to INSTAT data, 146.7 thousand tons of olives were produced. Compared to 2023, the amount of production increased by about 25%. In 2024, the yield of olive production reached 15.2 kg per root. Compared to 2023, the yield decreased by 2.8 kg per root.

In 2024, the average collection price ranged from 620 to 630 lek per liter, below the limit of 650 lek.

In 2025, according to INSTAT data, an amount of 143.3 thousand tons of olives was produced. Compared to 2024, olive production fell by 2.2%. While the yield from 15.2 kg per root fell to 14.4 kg per root.

In 2025, the average collection price increased by 11% to 700 lek per liter, affected by the contraction of production. While in the south of the country, the "Kalinjot" variety was also collected at a price of 1000 lek per liter. /Monitor


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