EDMOND HALA*
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*Agricultural University of Tirana, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Kodër Kamëz, Tirana, Albania. ORCID Code: 0009-0005-1341-6050 *Corresponding author; E-mail: hiedmo@ubt.edu.al Abstract Albania boasts abundant water resources that support both inland and marine fish farming. In 2024, the country’s aquaculture sector yielded 7,149 tonnes from a total fish production of 16,901 tonnes. Nevertheless, domestic fish consumption remains modest at 8.51 kg per person annually. The sector’s contribution to the national economy is minimal, accounting for less than 1% of GDP and employing around 620 people, with women primarily engaged in fish processing. Since the 1980s, rainbow trout farming has expanded to include 19 licensed businesses, mainly small-scale or family-run operations. Production peaked at 1,861 tonnes in 2018 but declined to 584 tonnes in 2024. The rainbow trout value chain is relatively simple and locally sustainable, but lacks vertical integration. Producers often sell directly to markets, restaurants, or export outlets, with limited involvement from wholesalers. The cold chain infrastructure is in place, yet processing remains limited in scale. Distribution channels include fishmongers, supermarkets, and informal markets, with demand surging during tourist seasons and weekends. Key challenges facing the sector include reliance on imported feed, outdated infrastructure in remote areas, restricted access to financing, and low market integration. Strategic investments in processing facilities, the development of local markets, and the establishment of a fish feed manufacturing plant could enhance competitiveness. Support from government financing and targeted policies—particularly in energy and transportation—could alleviate sector challenges. Data collected through surveys, expert interviews, and field visits informed a comprehensive mapping of the value chain and helped identify strategies to boost economic resilience and growth in Albanian aquaculture. Keywords: value chain, rainbow trout, market, production. |
