Kosovo will temporarily ban the export of some food items, amid the global food, energy, and fuel crisis, according to a government announcement.
Prime Minister Albin Kurti said the decision has been taken to ensure that citizens have access to essential basket items including wheat, corn, flour, cooking oil, salt, and sugar.
“The Russian military invasion and aggression in Ukraine has affected the food supply chain in Europe. Today MINT has brought the decision that prohibits the export and re-export of some agro-food products”, said Kurti.
Kosovo’s export industry is worth around EUR 65.2 million while its import value is EUR 414.7 million.
Minister of trade, Rozeta Hajdari said that continuing the export of some items may endanger the supply for citizens.
“Exports and re-exports of goods, no matter how small, could jeopardize the supply of our population in the future. In cooperation with Kosovo Customs and by following the exports on a daily basis, therefore to alleviate the situation we propose to make a temporary ban on some basic product,” she said.
Both Serbia and North Macedonia have imposed similar bans on the export of essential items. In the case of Serbia, this related to the export of cereals but with the exception of to Albania and North Macedonia who are part of the Open Balkan initiative.
