Sidenor Sales Manager Mefat Torba, who shared his assessment of the steel markets in Albania and the Western Balkans, noted that active construction activity in the region continues to support demand for steel. Torba noted that Turkish manufacturers have increased their presence in the region after the closure of the local producer Kurum in 2024.
Speaking in an interview with SteelRadar about the steel markets in Albania and the Western Balkans, Torba said that demand for steel in Albania remains high, driven in particular by major projects in Tirana and coastal areas, foreign buyers, diaspora investments and the tourism sector. According to him, Turkish producers are expected to maintain their leading positions in the Albanian and Western Balkan steel markets as a whole until local production resumes.
How would you assess the current state of the Albanian steel market in 2026? What are the main trends that you observe in terms of demand and market activity?
The Albanian steel market is currently in a very strong position. The main reason for this is that construction activity across the country is at its peak. Demand remains stable due to major projects in Tirana and coastal areas, foreign buyers, diaspora investments and the tourism sector. Last year, total consumption across the country reached about 350,000 tons, and we expect this level to continue in 2026. For a country with a population of 2.3 million people, this level of per capita consumption is quite remarkable.
Another notable achievement in the manufacturing sector is that large local companies have invested heavily in automated cutting and bending operations over the past two years. The factory-made model clearly indicates that the local market is developing in this direction. In addition, Albania is strategically positioned as a transit point for the Western Balkans and is located outside the EU quota system. This makes the country a very attractive destination for large producers in Turkey, Algeria, Egypt and China. Overall, given stable demand and ongoing investments, we expect market conditions to remain favorable through the end of the year.
Albania is the gateway to the Western Balkan steel trade
Based on your experience in the Albanian steel market, how do you assess the country's role in the Balkan steel industry as a whole? What are the key factors determining the dynamics of the regional market? ,
,Albania is one of the main steel sales markets in the Western Balkans. Albania imports significant amounts of steel through the ports of Durres and Porto Romano, not only for maintenance purposes.
