July Sets Record for Fuel Imports in Albania as Price Exceeds 200 Lek per Liter

Albania recorded its highest monthly level of fuel imports since at least 2000 in July. Data show that 75,779 metric tons of fuel entered the country, while the price per liter exceeded 200 lek and rose to 219 lek in August.

The volume imported in July was around 4,800 metric tons higher than in the same month last year. This represents an increase of 7 percent.

The monthly record was set despite an overall decline in fuel imports. Around 408,000 metric tons were imported during the first seven months of the year, about 8,000 metric tons less than in the same period last year. The decline is estimated at around 2 percent.

Another notable feature of this period relates to fuel prices. In the very month when fuel exceeded the threshold of 200 lek per liter, imports reached their highest monthly volume ever recorded.

However, the volume imported cannot be directly equated with consumption. No public data are available to determine how much of the 75,000 metric tons was used during July and how much was placed in storage.