The blockade of Serbian corn with the presence of Aflatoxin appears to have sparked an open trade clash between Albania and Serbia.
Serbian authorities have blocked about 20 trucks with Albanian fruits and vegetables at the border, claiming that each pallet will undergo laboratory tests on Serbian territory, refusing to recognize the tests conducted in Albania.
This behavior is creating great economic pressure on farmers and exporters, who risk significant losses if shipments remain blocked.
“We had a problem with Serbia, they took our products for analysis. I have two trucks, there are ten other colleagues at customs whose trucks have been blocked, they have decided to take analysis on every pallet and not just the trucks at the end. They have decided that the truck will not be opened for 2-3 days until the results of the analysis are available.”, said Amarildo Shehu, fruit and vegetable exporter.
“What is the value of the seized product? 40 thousand euros for two trucks. What products did they load it with? Mixed vegetables like cucumbers, lettuce, and pumpkin.”
This analysis sheet you see on the screen shows that the products that Amarildo Shehu sent for export to Serbia are safe. But this finding is not taken into account by the ordering country, Albanian exporters have been notified that if their products are not free of pesticides they will be destroyed.
“If this analysis turns out badly, they will draw the result they want, because we have done the analysis. But if we are below the standards, they will bury the goods.”
The consequences have been felt immediately in the agricultural sector. Amarildo says his warehouse is filled with vegetables still waiting to be released to the market, and if this situation continues he says he will make a drastic decision.
“We demand that the state take measures to regulate the situation, otherwise it will become a big problem. The moment it is not exported today and tomorrow, we know that we will stop and close the point because we cannot pay for the goods. If we sell them, it will become a big burden on us and the farmers.”
