Since November 2025 to date, the greenhouses of Myzeqe have been flooded three times. Most recently, however, the damage has been colossal, affecting both local farmers’ livelihoods and the national economy due to production shortages. Even before damages from the November floods have been assessed, the greenhouses have been devastated for the third time.
Mirlind Saraçi, from the village of Kosovë e Vogël in Lushnje, has suffered losses of approximately €150,000 after three hectares of greenhouses were flooded and crops that were ready for market in the coming days were destroyed. Like him, hundreds and thousands of farmers across the country have sustained major losses—driven more by poor management than by rainfall alone.
According to the farmer, the flooded area this time is far larger, and the opening of the floodgates at the Banja Hydropower Plant caused the water level to rise. The release occurred while drainage canals were blocked (as shown in the photo below), he said. In his area, no maintenance has been carried out on canals and main collectors for 13 years, despite hundreds of millions of euros being invested in greenhouses.
As a result of the gate openings, water flooded areas one day earlier and continues to spread to new areas that had not been affected by rainfall.
Experts estimate that, as of yesterday, the flooded area has reached around 40,000 hectares and is still expanding.
They note that illegal constructions over canals and major collectors have been tolerated for years, obstructing the natural flow of water and making the area particularly vulnerable to flooding.
According to experts, the degradation of the drainage system has left the territory exposed to rainfall, while the situation has been significantly worsened by the management of dams and hydropower plants. Farmers claim that reservoirs were filled and then discharged without prior warning.
Hydropower projects with reservoirs contribute to energy security, but at the same time have increased flood exposure in other parts of the country. The Shkodra region has historically been flooded due to the opening of cascade gates along the Drin River. Meanwhile, cascade investments have also been made in other hydropower plants nationwide, particularly in the Devoll basin.
There are also significant losses in livestock farming. In Dimal, Berat, around the Banaj and Sheq areas, fodder reserves have been lost and thousands of poultry have died. All flooded areas are in emergency need of animal feed.
Official INSTAT data show that the flooded regions account for 65% of national vegetable production and dominate nearly 80% of fresh produce exports.
Beyond the severe blow to farmers’ incomes, the damage of recent days is expected to negatively affect retail prices of agricultural products and reduce exports in this sector.
Last year, food and beverage exports were the only category to maintain growth throughout the year, unlike other groups that have been on a downward trend with volatility for nearly two years.
/ Monitor
