HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION AND FOOD PRICE VULNERABILITY IN ALBANIA AND EUROPEAN UNION: A BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER COVID-19 ANALYSIS

Azmi Stringa; Arlinda Topçiu

TR EN

HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION AND FOOD PRICE VULNERABILITY IN ALBANIA AND EUROPEAN UNION: A BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER COVID-19 ANALYSIS

Abstract

This paper examines how inflation and food price changes from 2014 to 2023 affected real household consumption and food expenditure in Albania, compared to the European Union. Using a quantitative approach and data from INSTAT, Eurostat, IMF, and the Bank of Albania, it analyzes trends across three periods: pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic. Despite Albania’s 40% real GDP per capita growth and significant currency appreciation, findings reveal negative real growth in food and non-alcoholic beverage consumption throughout most of the decade—unlike the EU, where such declines appeared post-pandemic and were last observed during the during the financial crisis of 2008–2009. Albania’s high food expenditure share and steeper price increases made households more vulnerable to inflation. The results highlight the need for inclusive growth, food security, and stronger market competition to protect household welfare in economies with high food dependency.

Keywords

Inflation, Prices, Economy growth, GDP per capita, Foreign Exchange Rate, Household Index of Consumer Prices, HICP, Food prices, Household Consumption, Volumes

HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION AND FOOD PRICE VULNERABILITY IN ALBANIA AND EUROPEAN UNION: A BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER COVID-19 ANALYSIS

Abstract

This paper examines how inflation and food price changes from 2014 to 2023 affected real household consumption and food expenditure in Albania, compared to the European Union. Using a quantitative approach and data from INSTAT, Eurostat, IMF, and the Bank of Albania, it analyzes trends across three periods: pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic. Despite Albania’s 40% real GDP per capita growth and significant currency appreciation, findings reveal negative real growth in food and non-alcoholic beverage consumption throughout most of the decade—unlike the EU, where such declines appeared post-pandemic and were last observed during the during the financial crisis of 2008–2009. Albania’s high food expenditure share and steeper price increases made households more vulnerable to inflation. The results highlight the need for inclusive growth, food security, and stronger market competition to protect household welfare in economies with high food dependency.

Keywords

Inflation, Prices, Economy growth, GDP per capita, Foreign Exchange Rate, Household Index of Consumer Prices, HICP, Food prices, Household Consumption, Volumes.

References

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Bank of Albania. (2014–2024). Kursi zyrtar i këmbimit në Shqipëri. https://www.bankofalbania.org/Tregjet/Kursi_zyrtar_i_kembimit/
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Instat. (2013–2024). Annual change of harmonised index of consumer price. https://www.instat.gov.al/en/themes/prices/harmonized-index-of-consumer-price/#tab3 Instat. (2013–2024). Foreign trade. https://www.instat.gov.al/al/temat/tregtia-e-jashtme/tregtia-e-jashtme-e-mallrave/#tab3
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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Economic Theory (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Azmi Stringa ^*
0009-0003-5950-2195
Albania

Arlinda Topçiu
0009-0009-5496-6621
Albania

Publication Date

August 30, 2025

Submission Date

August 22, 2025

Acceptance Date

August 30, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 3 Number: 1

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA53ZD42TK

APA

Stringa, A., & Topçiu, A. (2025). HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION AND FOOD PRICE VULNERABILITY IN ALBANIA AND EUROPEAN UNION: A BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER COVID-19 ANALYSIS. Karatay İslam İktisadı Ve Finans Dergisi, 3(1), 47-62. https://izlik.org/JA53ZD42TK

AMA

1.Stringa A, Topçiu A. HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION AND FOOD PRICE VULNERABILITY IN ALBANIA AND EUROPEAN UNION: A BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER COVID-19 ANALYSIS. KARJIEF. 2025;3(1):47-62. https://izlik.org/JA53ZD42TK

Chicago

Stringa, Azmi, and Arlinda Topçiu. 2025. “HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION AND FOOD PRICE VULNERABILITY IN ALBANIA AND EUROPEAN UNION: A BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER COVID-19 ANALYSIS”. Karatay İslam İktisadı Ve Finans Dergisi 3 (1): 47-62. https://izlik.org/JA53ZD42TK.

EndNote

Stringa A, Topçiu A (August 1, 2025) HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION AND FOOD PRICE VULNERABILITY IN ALBANIA AND EUROPEAN UNION: A BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER COVID-19 ANALYSIS. Karatay İslam İktisadı ve Finans Dergisi 3 1 47–62.

IEEE

[1]A. Stringa and A. Topçiu, “HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION AND FOOD PRICE VULNERABILITY IN ALBANIA AND EUROPEAN UNION: A BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER COVID-19 ANALYSIS”, KARJIEF, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 47–62, Aug. 2025, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA53ZD42TK

ISNAD

Stringa, Azmi - Topçiu, Arlinda. “HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION AND FOOD PRICE VULNERABILITY IN ALBANIA AND EUROPEAN UNION: A BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER COVID-19 ANALYSIS”. Karatay İslam İktisadı ve Finans Dergisi 3/1 (August 1, 2025): 47-62. https://izlik.org/JA53ZD42TK.

JAMA

1.Stringa A, Topçiu A. HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION AND FOOD PRICE VULNERABILITY IN ALBANIA AND EUROPEAN UNION: A BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER COVID-19 ANALYSIS. KARJIEF. 2025;3:47–62.

MLA

Stringa, Azmi, and Arlinda Topçiu. “HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION AND FOOD PRICE VULNERABILITY IN ALBANIA AND EUROPEAN UNION: A BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER COVID-19 ANALYSIS”. Karatay İslam İktisadı Ve Finans Dergisi, vol. 3, no. 1, Aug. 2025, pp. 47-62, https://izlik.org/JA53ZD42TK.

Vancouver

1.Azmi Stringa, Arlinda Topçiu. HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION AND FOOD PRICE VULNERABILITY IN ALBANIA AND EUROPEAN UNION: A BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER COVID-19 ANALYSIS. KARJIEF [Internet]. 2025 Aug. 1;3(1):47-62. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA53ZD42TK

HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION AND FOOD PRICE VULNERABILITY IN ALBANIA AND EUROPEAN UNION: A BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER COVID-19 ANALYSIS

Abstract

Keywords

HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION AND FOOD PRICE VULNERABILITY IN ALBANIA AND EUROPEAN UNION: A BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER COVID-19 ANALYSIS

Abstract

Keywords

References

Details

Primary Language

Subjects

Journal Section

Authors

Publication Date

Submission Date

Acceptance Date

Published in Issue

IZ

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