Character and comparative advantage: In Albania, chestnuts hold OCOP status due to their significance as both a cash crop and a dietary product for smallholders locally and regionally. The country has favourable conditions for sustainable chestnut value chains, driving inclusive socioeconomic development. These chains, which often involve rural tourism, benefit mountainous and rural communities by expanding domestic economic prospects. Chestnuts are a major agricultural export of Albania, positioning the country among the top 10 worldwide for chestnut export potential according to the International Trade Centre.

Producing areas: Chestnuts are cultivated throughout Albania, with approximately 90 percent of production concentrated in the Tropoja area. Chestnuts from this region are highly esteemed for their sweetness, consistency, aroma and size.

Demands: From a market perspective, the project aims to develop niche products with distinctive attributes, such as certified organic status and/or geographical indications, to enhance market competitiveness and consumer appeal.

Consumption: The project endeavours to boost chestnut consumption by improving management practices, post-harvest handling and processing techniques to increase the availability of high-quality chestnuts for consumers in Albania and beyond.

Beneficiaries: The direct beneficiaries of technical assistance through the project are expected to actively share their experiences and lessons learned with other interested groups – sharing business plans, offering facilities for demonstration purposes and actively participating in capacity-building sessions and events organized by the project. Furthermore, by strengthening the capacities of national stakeholders, the project aims to facilitate the transfer of knowledge to farmers and local agricultural extension specialists.