No buyers, no future: farmers cut down apple trees in Albania

Farmers in southeastern Albania are facing a severe crisis, forcing many to abandon their orchards. In Zvirinë village, Maliq, long known for its apple production, entire fields are being cut down as farmers struggle to sell their harvest, according to local media.

Growers make the difficult choice to remove all their trees after failing to find buyers for the past three to four years. Despite their apples being high quality, market conditions have made farming unsustainable.

"There’s no market, prices are terrible, and apples don’t sell. There's nothing else we can do" comment local growers.

Farmers in Devoll are facing the same struggle. Many blame the crisis on low prices, pesticide costs, lack of market access, and a flood of imported products that have made it impossible for local growers to compete.

As a result, 35 hectares of apple orchards have been abandoned across Maliq and Devoll, leaving families uncertain about their future in agriculture.

source: euronews.al

photo: koha.net