Following the interruption of imports from Brazil, meat processors warn that starting in November, the prices of fresh beef, chicken and by-products in the domestic market are expected to increase by 12 to 40%.
As of September 3, 2026, Albania no longer allows the import of beef and poultry meat from Brazil, as a result of changes in European rules for the import of products of animal origin.
Several of the major meat processors contacted by Monitor claimed that the effects of the import ban have not yet begun to be reflected in retail prices for consumers, as companies continue to use supplies secured through contracts signed before September 3.
But according to processors, warehouse reserves can last up to 2 months, during the September-October period. For this reason, the change in costs is expected to start to be more clearly reflected in the market from November, while the peak of price increases is expected during December.
But according to them, currently the prices of beef and chicken imported into Europe are between 12 and 40% more expensive than in Brazil. Importers are also finding prices higher than in Brazil for other supply alternatives, such as in Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay.
Consequently, according to importers, price increases will be inevitable.
Chicken fillet can go up to 450 lek/kg in bulk
One of the products expected to be most affected is chicken breast, which is also widely used in the meat processing industry, especially for the production of chicken bacon.
According to processors, chicken breast accounts for up to 15% of total imports for some companies.
Currently, the wholesale price of chicken fillet fluctuates around 320-330 lek per kilogram. With new supplies from European markets, processors expect cost increases and estimate that the price of fillet could reach up to 450 lek per kilogram.
According to them, after Brazil, some of the sources with the lowest prices in the European market are Ukraine and Romania, but from these countries, prices are currently around 30-40% more expensive compared to the Brazilian product.
Beef could become more expensive by 300-400 lek/kg
The effect is also expected to be felt in beef. Processors estimate that the cost of supplying meat from European markets will be about 19% higher compared to supplies from Brazil.
According to their calculations, this could lead to an increase in the cost of meat products and by-products by about 12-13%.
Currently, the price of fresh beef in the retail market fluctuates around 1,300-1,350 lek per kilogram. With the new supplies, processors expect the price to increase by around 300-400 lek per kilogram, bringing beef to levels of around 1,600-1,700 lek per kilogram.
Meat imports for the 8 months of 2026 are led by Brazil
Brazil continues to remain among the main suppliers of chicken and poultry meat for domestic processors. According to INSTAT data, imports of the group "Meat and edible meat offal" for the period January-August reached 10.7 million tons. Imports from Brazil accounted for 33% of the total imported quantity of the group.
After them, the main weight for imports of the meat group is taken by those from the USA, followed by Greece and other European countries.
The changes came into effect on September 3.
The ban on meat imports from Brazil only for those establishments that are not certified according to EU rules has come into effect from September 3, 2026.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has requested the National Food Authority (AKU) to take all necessary measures to inform operators importing beef and poultry meat from Brazil, following recent changes in European Union regulations.
In an official letter sent earlier to operators, the Ministry explains that the import into Albania of beef and poultry meat originating from Brazil is conditional on the approval of production areas and establishments by the European Union.
This condition is set out in Ministerial Order No. 294, dated 13 June 2006, “On the import of meat from the Federative Republic of Brazil”. According to the Ministry’s letter, European Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1189 has amended Regulation (EU) 2021/405, introducing new restrictions on the use of certain antimicrobial medicinal products.
As a result of this change, Brazil has been removed from the list of third countries or regions thereof authorised for the entry into the European Union of consignments of certain animals and products of animal origin intended for human consumption.
This change also has an effect on the implementation of Albanian rules, as Order No. 294/2006 links the import of meat from Brazil to the approval of areas and establishments by the EU.
The Ministry emphasizes that, as long as this condition remains in force, the changes brought about by the new European Regulation "are directly reflected in the implementation of this order."
The Ministry determines that the changes stemming from Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1189 shall begin to apply from 3 September 2026./ D.Azo
