COVID-19 lockdown measures may have stopped Albanians from flocking to coffee shops, but it certainly didn’t stop them from drinking it.
Monitor magazine reports that Albania holds the record for the highest number of coffee shops in relation to the population- 518 cafes per 100,000 inhabitants.
In addition to this, coffee is a solid part of Albanian culture; socializing, business and even politics are often conducted over a cup. The closure of the countries coffee shops was a shock to the nation and many lamented how they would manage to satiate their needs during lockdown.
Data from coffee imports during March and April reported by Monitor show that Albanians did not reduce their coffee consumption. On the contrary, 2700 tons of coffee were imported, a 9.4% increase on the same period in 2019.
In April alone, 922 tonnes of coffee were imported, the third-highest amount ever recorded. Other peak months for coffee imports were December 2016 and 2018.
A spokesperson from Ama Caffe who operate cafes as well as distribution and supply channels told Monitor that sales of espresso capsules, Turkish coffee, granules and bans, and iced coffee had risen. Sales of home espresso machines had also increased.
Albanian coffee shops reopened on 18 May but they are by no means as busy as before. Enri Jahaj, board member of the Association of Bars, Restaurants, and Clubs said that strict physical distancing measures and limited hours will lead to bankruptcy for a number of venues. This, he said is due to changes in attitudes regarding social behavior, meeting, and socializing.
