The first part of this chapter presents an analysis of the main trends in consumption of agri-food products in Albania, and other key issues, such as supply. Data are presented on consumer patterns and dynamics over the past few decades for the main food categories, along with comparisons with the...

This chapter looks at the past 20 years of transition towards democratic and free market economies in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). In the 20 years since the fall of communism, the agricultural sectors of the CEE countries have done quite well overall. Market oriented reform is complete nearly...

This chapter starts with a description of the three main periods of Albania's land tenure history. From then on, the focus is on the period from the last state reform implemented in 1991 - its policy objectives, implementation in practice, and influence on agricultural growth, and on the reduction...

This chapter looks at the historical background of extension in Albania and Eastern Europe and examines agricultural extension during the transition period. Development of agricultural extension services has been an important component of the transition from centrally planned to market-driven...

The first part of this chapter begins with an overview of Albania's economy, agricultural sector performance, and the sector's role in economic growth. It then includes a description of Albania's production and processing capabilities and ends with a discussion of the major characteristics that...

This chapter discusses trends in agricultural production (livestock, field crops, fruit and vegetables) and presents an overview of the food processing industry in Albania. Various sub-sectors of the food processing industry are then described in terms of production and processing, namely: meat and ...

This chapter investigates the current state of distribution channels and markets for agricultural commodities in Albania. Priority is given here to an assessment of the following sectors of the agricultural industry: dairy products; olives and olive oil; meat; fruit and vegetables; and grapes, wine ...

This chapter describes the legal framework and the situation of quality assurance and food safety in Albania. The account includes an analysis of the evolution of the system during the transition period, and a description of the present legal and institutional framework. The results are also...

This chapter provides a review on Albania's agricultural trade over the last 15 years (1996-2010). The five main sections of the chapter examine: (1) Albania's performance in terms of national and agricultural trade; (2) the main traded agricultural products and the main trading partners; the trade ...

This chapter shows how the substantial changes experienced by Albania in the last 20 years have decisively conditioned the trends of the agro-food system in terms of production, consumption, and trade balance. It looks at the impact of the collapse of planned-economy supply chains and land...