Croatia and Bosnia Block Albanian Peaches Over Safety Concerns

 A shipment of peaches from Albania has been blocked at the borders of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina after failing to meet European Union food safety standards.

Crates of Albanian peaches destined for export to Croatia

The case was first identified by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) during inspections at the Croatian border, the main entry point for Albanian produce into the EU market. Tests revealed that the peaches contained excessively high levels of iron, raising concerns over their suitability for consumption.

The incident highlights ongoing challenges for Albanian agricultural exports, as it follows several other cases where products from Albania were found to contain unsafe levels of pesticides when destined for EU markets.

For Albanian farmers and exporters, this represents another setback in efforts to build credibility in the competitive European marketplace. The repeated detections of unsafe produce risk undermining Albania’s agricultural trade and could lead to stricter monitoring or even restrictions on its exports.

Authorities in Tirana have not yet issued an official response, but the incident underscores the urgent need for stronger quality control measures, better oversight of farming practices, and greater alignment with EU food safety regulations.

As Albania continues to push for closer integration with the European Union, ensuring compliance with strict agricultural standards remains a critical test for its producers and regulators alike.