Albania Continues Participation in the International Olive Council to Support the Quality and Competitiveness of Domestic Production

Albania has been a member of the International Olive Council (IOC), an international organization that specializes in table olives and olive oil, since 2009. To guaranty Albania’s continued membership in the IOC, a draft bill was filed to Parliament for ratification.
According to the proposed law, the Council of Members’ resolution to modify Article 36 of the International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives would be accepted. The agreement will be in effect until December 31, 2026, under the amendment approved on June 24, 2024, with the option to extend it for additional periods of no more than five years each.
The plan does not change Albania’s connection with the International Olive Council or establish a new international obligation. It guaranties the country’s continued involvement in the organization and gives Albania’s olive industry access to global standards, economic and technical data, knowledge, and collaboration among member nations.
For Albanian farmers and families, growing olives and making olive oil are customary pursuits and a significant source of revenue. The industry has grown steadily in recent years thanks to investments in increased quality, production standards, storage conditions, and processing technologies.
Maintaining membership is meant to give Albanian farmers and business owners more chances to raise the caliber and worth of their goods, boosting Albanian olive oil’s standing and competitiveness in global markets.
The State Budget won’t incur any extra expenses if the change is approved. Albania will simply make its current yearly membership contribution, which is funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s approved budget.