Severe flooding in southern Albania has caused significant damage to agriculture, particularly affecting strawberry production in the Fier region, one of the country’s main agricultural hubs. According to reports from local media and farmers in the area, more than 300 tons of strawberries have been destroyed, leaving growers facing serious economic losses.
The flooding, triggered by heavy rainfall and rising river levels, has submerged hectares of agricultural land and greenhouse structures. Villages located near the Vjosa River basin have been among the hardest hit, where water and mud have covered fields and damaged crops that were approaching harvest.
Strawberry Farms Underwater in Fier
Strawberries are considered one of the most valuable early-season crops for farmers in western Albania. In the fertile plains of Myzeqe and Fier, many families rely on greenhouse strawberry cultivation as their primary source of income.
However, the recent floods have wiped out months of work in just a few hours. Farmers say that many greenhouses remain filled with mud even weeks after the flooding, making it impossible to recover the damaged production.
Local producers describe the situation as catastrophic.
Many claim that the floodwaters completely destroyed their strawberry plants, leaving them with zero harvest for the season and no immediate financial recovery options.
High Costs and Heavy Financial Damage
Cultivating strawberries in greenhouses requires significant investment. Farmers spend thousands of euros on seedlings, irrigation systems, fertilizers, and greenhouse maintenance.
When floods strike during the harvest period, the losses become even more severe because the expected income from selling the fruit disappears entirely.
Agriculture experts note that flooding has repeatedly affected Albania’s lowland farming zones in recent years, particularly areas near rivers and irrigation canals. Climate-related risks such as heavy rainfall and seasonal storms are increasingly impacting agricultural production and threatening farmers’ livelihoods.
In some cases, the flooding of intensive greenhouse production areas has also disrupted supply chains and reduced the volume of fruits and vegetables reaching markets and export destinations.
Farmers Call This the Worst Year in a Decade
For many farmers in Fier, this season has been described as the worst agricultural year in more than a decade.
Several growers recall previous floods in the past but say the current situation is among the most damaging. Some families have reportedly faced repeated flooding events over the years, making it increasingly difficult to continue investing in agricultural production.
Farmers warn that without government support or compensation mechanisms, many small producers may be forced to abandon strawberry cultivation altogether.
Agriculture Under Pressure from Extreme Weather
The crisis in Fier highlights the vulnerability of Albania’s agriculture to extreme weather conditions. Floods not only destroy crops but also damage greenhouses, irrigation systems, and rural infrastructure.
For regions that rely heavily on agriculture, such disasters threaten both local economies and national food production.
As farmers begin assessing the full extent of the damage, attention is now turning to possible recovery measures, including financial assistance, improved drainage systems, and stronger flood protection infrastructure.
Without these measures, agricultural producers warn that similar disasters could continue to threaten Albania’s farming sector in the years ahead.