Drini Imami

Latent Class Analysis of Consumer Preferences for Wine in Tirana, Albania

This research aimed to determine wine attributes preferred by consumers in Tirana, Albania, and consumer segments based on preferences and sociodemographic factors. To accomplish these objectives, a conjoint choice experiment was designed. Data were analyzed with the latent class approach. Initial results showed a 5-class model fit best. Results indicated that younger people tend to prefer Italian wines over domestic wines, whereas some older consumers strongly prefer domestic, lower priced wines. Other domestic wine consumers sought higher prices, possibly indicating a niche demand for high-quality Albanian wines. The wine industry and its marketers might use this information to strategically market their wine to different groups. Overall, the majority of the respondents preferred Italian wines, but many might be persuaded toward domestic wine. Government assistance in standardizing the quality of wine and introducing new grape cultivars and efficient farming practices should aid long-term competitiveness of domestic wine in Albania.

Analysis of Consumer Preferences for Table Olives—The Case of Albanian Urban Consumers

The table olive production sector is undergoing rapid changes, as the government is undertaking an ambitious program supporting the expansion of olive grove plantations. Despite the increase in domestic production, imports of table olives are still high, due to constraints in quantity and quality of domestically supplied olives. In the context of import substitution strategy, embraced by producers and policy-makers, it is important to analyze the consumer preferences for table olives. The objective of this paper is to segment the table olive market according to preferences for table olives attributes, and assess willingness to pay for the main product attributes, applying Conjoint Choice Experiment (CCE) and Latent Class Analysis to collect and analyze the data. The research results show a strong consumer preference for domestic table olives whereas preferences for other attributes and willingness to pay vary between consumer groups.

Food consumer trends in post socialist countries: the case of Albania

Since the beginning of the transition from a centrally planned economy to a market oriented economy in early 1990’s, economic growth, fast urbanisation, regional trade liberalisation, and gradual integration into eu, are contributing to a rapid evolution of consumption and lifestyle in Albania. The changing structure of the incomes emerging from an increasing per capita gdp and the redistribution among classes of population and among regions (urban population benefiting more from the growth than rural) has given rise to a larger urban middle-income class of consumers. The food demand from the emerging urban middle-income consumers, combined with the gradual consolidation of the retail sector and the recent establishment and expansion of the first supermarket chains, has strong implications for the agrifood industry. Despite these rapid changes, there are few attempts from researchers and other stakeholders to study the consumer preferences in the country. Understanding consumer preferences is important not only for agrifood entrepreneurs but also for government policy makers to tune their policies and allocate their resources more efficiently in line with market demand. The objective of this paper is to describe the main consumption trends and key issues in Albania, analysis of the Albanian consumer patterns and dynamics of the last decades for the main food categories, along with comparisons to the rest of the world. The study finds that the demand toward meat, fruits and vegetables has experienced a significant increase compared to more staple foods such as cereal. The consumer preferences indicate similar features with other transition countries. There is observed an overall preference for domestic agrifood products. However, there are concerns about the perceived quality and safety of various agrifood products in Albania. There is obvious distrust in the government food safety enforcement system, while privately enforced quality and safety systems are almost missing. Strengthening the implementation capacities and improving the image of the government food safety regulation system should be considered a priority in the context of ongoing institutional and legal reforms, such that the preference for domestic produce and products increase to match consumer preferences.

Attitudes and Preferences of Kosovar Consumer Segments Toward Quality Attributes of Milk and Dairy Products

ABSTRACT The dairy market is one of the fastest growing agri-food sectors in Kosovo, yet the farm structure is fragmented. The level of productivity is lower compared with European Union levels and shows potential for improvements. The consumption of dairy products is expected to rise due to income growth and segmentation of consumers that would reflect different preferences for low-fat or zero-fat products, products with natural additives, and so on. On the market level, a significant share of the consumed milk and dairy products is imported. This study aims to better understand attitudes and preferences of Kosovar consumer segments toward milk and dairy products. A quantitative survey with 300 consumers was conducted in major Kosovo cities. Applying a reduced version of the Food Related Lifestyle instrument identified three distinct consumer segments: the conservative consumer segment, the socially oriented foodie, and the information-seeking eco-consumer. The latter two segments are especially open to trying new food products and actively search information about food. All three consumer segments show strong consumer patriotism by believing that domestic milk and cheese are safer than imported products and are of higher quality. This indicates the strong market potential for dairy farmers and companies in the Kosovo, which should develop new food products having these segments in mind. The authors explore the strategies that farmers and companies should use to better target these consumer groups and gain greater access to desirable segments.

Consumer preferences for typical local products in Albania

Albania has the potential to develop quality products given its cultural, climatic and territorial diversity. Moreover, consumers’ sensitivity to the origin of agrofood products, the huge variety of products, the growing integration of farms into the market, combined with on-going improvements in the legal and institutional framework regarding Protected Designation of Origin (pdo) and Protected Geographical Indications (pgi) indicate that these quality schemes are valid options for the maintenance of the agricultural sector in Albania, especially in mountainous areas. This study is based on a structured survey including 269 face-to-face interviews which were conducted in Tirana during summer 2013. According to the study results, most consumers’ choice of products is based on their origin (domestic versus imported), with a preference for domestic products. Also, within the domestic product group, there are significant differences in perceptions based on which region of Albania they were produced in - most interviewees stated that the region/ area of origin is either important or very important when choosing to buy Albanian products. There is a clear pattern of regional preferences for various food products, including most notably cheese. Based on association of typical product to specific regions, Protected Designation of Origin or Protected Geographical Indications can be promoted.

Determinants of long-term business relationships in the dairy value chain in transition countries: the case of Albania

(e.g. Batt and Wilson, 2000; Fischer, 2013), less evidence has been collected from developing or transition countries which face higher institutional voids (Bouis and Haddad, 1990). By testing our model in the Albanian dairy sector with data from a structured survey with farmers engaged in production of goat and sheep milk, we aim to bridge this gap. In addition, to the best of our knowledge, this is

Analysis of the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Value Chain in Albania

Albania has rich natural resources and appropriate soil and climatic conditions to produce wild and cultivated Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs). There are more than 300 species of MAPs in the Albanian flora, which are considered important from a natural resource and economic viewpoint. This paper analyzes the MAPs sector in Albania based on expert interviews and desk research. It provides several insights into the importance of the sector from socioeconomic prospective. It also analyzes the value chain structure, describing various categories of actors in the value chain. The exports, mainly to the EU and US, have increased over the years. However, we can observe a reduced supply of wild plants due to damaged resources and a reduced labor force in mountainous areas. This has been partly compensated by the growing importance of some plants’ cultivation. Despite growth and potential, this sector is facing several challenges. Some of these challenges are related to the production and post-harvest technology and practices on the farm, safety and quality standards and traceability. Addressing these issues should be a priority for policy-makers and private sector actors, in order to improve the sector’s competitiveness and sustainability.ZusammenfassungAlbanien verfügt über reiche natürliche Ressourcen und geeignete Boden- und Klimabedingungen, um wilde sowie angebaute Arznei- und Gewürzpflanzen (AGP) zu sammeln bzw. zu produzieren. Derzeit gibt es mehr als 300 AGP-Arten in der albanischen Flora, die sowohl unter dem Aspekt der natürlichen Ressourcen, als auch unter wirtschaftlichen Gesichtspunkten als wichtig angesehen werden könen. Dieser Artikel analysiert den AGP Sektor in Albanien, basierend auf Experteninterviews und sekundären Forschungsergebnissen. Auch werden Einblicke, auf die Bedeutung des Sektors aus der sozio-ökonomischen Perspektive, dargestellt. Analysiert werden die Wertschöpfungsstruktur, sowie verschiedene Akteure in der Wertschöpfungskette. Die Exporte, vor allem in die EU und die USA, haben sich im Laufe der letzten Jahre erhöht. Jedoch konnten wir eine reduzierte Lieferung von Wildpflanzen durch beschädigte Ressourcen und eine verminderte Erwerbsbevölkerung in den Berggebieten beobachten. Dies wird teilweise, durch die wachsende Bedeutung des Anbaus einiger Pflanzen, ausgeglichen. Trotz Wachstum und Potenzial ist dieser Sektor von mehreren Herausforderungen geprägt, z. B. Produktions-, Nacherntetechnologien und -praktiken in den Betrieben, Sicherheits- und Qualitätsstandards und Rückverfolgbarkeit. Die Auseinandersetzung mit diesen Fragen sollte Priorität für politische Entscheidungsträger und private Akteure haben, um die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit und Nachhaltigkeit des Sektors zu verbessern.

Impact of fiscal policies on inputs and production costs in greenhouse in Albania.

This paper analysis agriculture input related taxes and tariffs policies and their impact on input prices, production costs and profitability, focusing on the greenhouse sector in Albania. The study combines desk research and expert interviews to collect data and to analyse the main policy reforms and the tariff regime. A financial cost benefit analysis is implemented in order to observe the effect of the change of taxes in both sides: at farm gate profitability of Albanian farmers as well as in terms of revenues forgone in the state budget based on revenues collected.According to our research findings, tax exemption on inputs such as agrochemicals and fuel would significantly affect positively the profitability at the farm level and the overall agriculture sector competitiveness. Several political implications of the various scenarios of tax reduction are discussed and provided to policy-makers.

Analysis of the Apple Value Chain in Albania

Apple production is an important activity for Albanian agriculture in terms of cultivated area and production. Apple represents the most important fruit in the Albanian average consumer basket. There is an increasing tendency of both domestic production and consumption. Despite the growth in production and the local customer preferences for the domestic apple, apple imports remain significant. The food demand of emerging middle-class consumers is resulting in increased consumption and production requirement for high quality apples. On the other hand, gradual consolidation of the retail sector and the recent establishment and expansion of the first supermarket chains has strong implications for agriculture—imposing more restrictions for quality and quantity of supplied apples.ZusammenfassungDie Apfelproduktion ist ein wichtiger Teil der albanischen Landwirtschaft im Hinblick auf Anbaufläche und Produktion. Es gibt eine steigende Tendenz der inländischen Produktion und des Verbrauches. Trotz des Produktionswachstums und der lokalen Kundenpräferenz für den inländischen Apfel, bleibt die Apfeleinfuhr aus Nachbarländern weiterhin bedeutend. Der Lebensmittelbedarf der wachsenden Mittelschicht der Bevölkerung, bringt einem erhöhten Verbrauch und steigende Produktionsanforderungen an hochwertigen Äpfeln mit sich. Auf der anderen Seite hat die allmähliche Einzelhandelskonsolidierung und die Einrichtung und Ausdehnung der ersten Supermarktketten starke Auswirkungen auf die Landwirtschaft: weitere Qualitäts-und Quantitätsbeschränkungen der gelieferten Äpfel.