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

Azmi Stringa; Arlinda Topçiu

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

Öz

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.

Anahtar Kelimeler

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.

Kaynakça

Albanian Association of Banks. (2023, October 26). BSH: Forcimi i Lekut e ka ulur inflacionin me 2.5 pikë, i ka kursyer ekonomisë 92 miliardë lekë në dy vjet. https://aab.al/bsh-forcimi-i-lekut-e-ka-ulur-inflacionin-me-2-5-pike-i-ka-kursyer-ekonomise-92-miliarde-leke-ne-dy-vjet-2/
Bank of Albania. (2014–2024). Kursi zyrtar i këmbimit në Shqipëri. https://www.bankofalbania.org/Tregjet/Kursi_zyrtar_i_kembimit/
Bank of Albania. (2022). Raporti Tremujor i Politikës Monetare, 2022/IV. https://www.bankofalbania.org/Politika_Monetare/Raportet_Periodike/Raporti_Tremujor_i_Politikes_Monetare_2022_IV.html
Bank of Albania. (2024). Raporti Tremujor i Politikës Monetare, 2024/IV. https://www.bankofalbania.org/Politika_Monetare/Raportet_Periodike/Raporti_Tremujor_i_Politikes_Monetare_2024_IV_40375.html
Eurostat. (2013–2024). Final consumption expenditure of households by consumption purpose. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/PRC_HICP_AIND__custom_13440383/default/table?lang=en
Eurostat. (2013–2024). Harmonised index of consumer prices, monthly data (index). https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/prc_hicp_midx__custom_16311217/default/table?lang=en
Eurostat. (2024). Comparative price levels for food, beverages and tobacco. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php? title=Comparative_price_levels_for_food,_beverages_and_tobacco
Eurostat. (2024). Household consumption by purpose. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Household_consumption_by_purpose
Food and Agriculture Organization. (2008). The state of food insecurity in the world 2008: High food prices and food security. https://www.fao.org/4/i0291e/i0291e03.pdf
Food and Agriculture Organization. (2025). Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in the total population. https://www.fao.org/interactive/state-of-food-security-nutrition/2-1-1/en/

Institute of Statistics. (2013–2024). Anketa e buxhetit të njësive ekonomike familjare. https://www.instat.gov.al/al/temat/kushtet-sociale/anketa-e-buxhetit-t%C3%AB-nj%C3%ABsive-ekonomike-familjare/#tab3
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
International Labour Organization, International Monetary Fund, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, European Union, United Nations, & The World Bank. (2020). Consumer price index manual: Concepts and methods. International Monetary Fund.
International Monetary Fund. (2016). Albania: Staff report for the 2016 Article IV consultation, seventh review under the extended arrangement, and request for waiver of applicability and modification of performance criteria—Press release; staff report; and statement by the executive director for Albania. https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/CR/Issues/2016/12/31/Albania-Staff-Report-for-the-2016-Article-IV-Consultation-Seventh-Review-Under-the-Extended-43938
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Kurkowiak, B. (2013). Statistics in focus 15/2013: Comparative price levels for food, beverages and tobacco—Data 2012. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Archive:Comparative_price_levels_for_food,_beverages_and_tobacco_-_data_2012&oldid=174880
Scan TV. (2022, December 12). Çmimet e konsumit, problemi kryesor i shqiptarëve/ Barometri Ekonomik Scan: Ndjekin taksat dhe papunësia, situata politike renditet e fundit. https://scantv.al/cmimet-e-konsumit-problemi-kryesor-i-shqiptareve-barometri-ekonomik-scan-ndjekin-taksat-dhe-papunesia-situata-politike-renditet-e-fundit
UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. (2024). UK food security report 2024. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6756e300a63e1781efb877a1/United_Kingdom_Food_Security_Report_2024_11dec2024_printable.pdf
UK Office for National Statistics. (2023, December 4). ONS household expenditure data insights into the effects of cost-of-living pressures. https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/inflationandpriceindices/bulletins/onshouseholdexpendituredatainsightsintotheeffectsofcostsoflivingpressures/4december2023
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Ayrıntılar

Birincil Dil

İngilizce

Konular

Ekonomi Teorisi (Diğer)

Bölüm

Araştırma Makalesi

Yazarlar

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

Arlinda Topçiu
0009-0009-5496-6621
Albania

Yayımlanma Tarihi

30 Ağustos 2025

Gönderilme Tarihi

22 Ağustos 2025

Kabul Tarihi

30 Ağustos 2025

Yayımlandığı Sayı

Yıl 2025 Cilt: 3 Sayı: 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

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

Öz

Anahtar Kelimeler

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

Abstract

Keywords

Kaynakça

Ayrıntılar

Birincil Dil

Konular

Bölüm

Yazarlar

Yayımlanma Tarihi

Gönderilme Tarihi

Kabul Tarihi

Yayımlandığı Sayı

IZ

Kaynak Göster