Albanian exporters face mounting pressure from euro depreciation
Analysis by Genta Hodo, SeeNews Interview with Artan Gjergji and Ervin Premce July 28 (SeeNews) - A sharp depreciation of the euro against the Albanian lek over the past five years, from above 120 leks in mid-2021 to below 95 leks per euro last week, is squeezing Albanian exporters of goods and services, industry representatives and financial experts say. For local manufacturers, the currency rate changes mean that major costs such as labour, energy and rents, which are calculated in leks, are rising and making their products pricier and less competitive in the European market, while revenues from exports, in euro, are further eroded by the depreciation of the EU single currency. Manufacturers of textiles and footwear, Albania's largest export industry, have been particularly exposed to the impact of the unfavourable currency rates. Compared to 2022, Albanian manufacturers of textiles and footwear recorded a 23% drop in the value of exports in 2025, data from the country's ...
