Sheqeras (Albanie) (AFP)
Scents of sage, lavender and cornflowers rise from the meadows of Albania, which has seen hovering abroad demand for medicinal herbs for the reason that coronavirus pandemic.
In Sheqeras, on the foot of the Mali i Thate mountain in Albania’s south, it’s the season for cornflowers, a plant historically valued for its capacity to spice up the metabolism and resistance to infections.
Early within the morning, earlier than the warmth of the day, dozens of ladies carrying broad-rimmed hats, hand-pick the magnificent signature-blue flowers that appeal to clouds of butterflies and bees.
The cornflowers are then dried in darkened rooms to protect their color earlier than being shipped overseas.
For the previous few years, Albania has been one among Europe’s prime producers of medicinal herbs, largely wild crops harvested within the foothills.
About 95 p.c are exported to america, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany or Italy.
– Booming exports –
Demand has been hovering for the reason that coronavirus pandemic elevated curiosity in herbs believed to strengthen the immune system and amid rising enthusiasm for pure and natural merchandise.
“Each cloud has a silver lining,” says Altin Xhaja, whose firm, Albrut, has, like many others within the sector, expanded areas below cultivation and intensified harvesting of wildflowers.
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In 2020, Albania exported greater than 14,000 tonnes of medicinal and fragrant herbs value 50 million euros ($59 million).
That was 15 p.c extra in contrast with the earlier yr, official figures present.
And the development continues, with exports 20 p.c increased within the first three months of 2021 from a yr earlier.
– ‘We have now to be fast’ –
The increase is a windfall for one among Europe’s poorest international locations which, with a inhabitants of two.8 million folks, is basically depending on tourism alongside the Adriatic coast that has been hard-hit by the pandemic.
Nettle, wild apple timber, cowslip and different medicinal crops present a dwelling for some 100,000 Albanians, who’ve lengthy used them themselves in conventional treatments.
“It is a race in opposition to time. We have now to be fast,” says Xhaja.
“Cornflowers are the most costly in the intervening time; a kilo of dried flowers will go for round 30 euros,” he says.
Simply subsequent to the fields of cornflowers, an attractive violet carpet of mallows can wait a bit longer earlier than the harvest.
As dozens of staff busily choose and kind crops at his manufacturing unit in Lac, north of Tirana, Filip Gjoka says that the sector has additionally benefited from tensions between Washington and Beijing.
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“The commerce conflict between america and China has pressured many Western gamers to show in the direction of the Albanian market,” says Gjoka, who additionally heads the affiliation of medicinal and fragrant herbs.
Round 30 Albanian firms are authorised to export the crops utilized in natural drugs on account of their anti-inflammatory, anti-septic and even anti-stress properties.
They’re used to make teas wealthy in vitamin C and antioxidants, oils or ointments.
– ‘Sage if my life’ –
The rocky plateaus in Albania’s north are dwelling to sage, for which demand has elevated by 40 p.c, prompting farmers to extend the realm below cultivation.
“It was unexpected. It needed to be finished shortly to have the ability to reply” to the demand, says farmer Pjeter Cukaj, wiping the sweat from his brow.
“These crops present a dwelling for greater than 50 p.c of households within the area,” he provides, crediting native sage, lavender and wild herbs with “magical powers” for the well being.
However farmers complain concerning the issue to find funding for growth and the development of storage and drying amenities, and say that any monetary assist they do get is available in dribs and drabs.
Professionals are additionally calling for a legislation for labels to ensure high quality, which might promote the sector’s progress.
“Every thing is pure, with out pesticides, with out something,” says Edlira Licaj, as she pulls weeds from across the sage together with a dozen different ladies.
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“We do every part by hand,” she says.
In the meantime, 91-year-old Drane Cukaj attributes her longevity to the sage infusion she drinks each morning.
“Life is within the meadows, sage is my life, my love, it has at all times made me completely satisfied,” says the mom of 9 who additionally has 40 grandchildren.
Cukaj says she’s satisfied that the wild herbs “assist in opposition to the coronavirus”.
Nonetheless, that did not cease her from getting the jab — simply in case.
© 2021 AFP
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