Labinoti Mal is known throughout the country as one of the largest producers of chestnuts.
The mountain village of Elbasan has concentrated all its activity in this direction, producing around 300 tons of chestnuts every year. But farmers complain about the low price and the lack of a collection point.

“The sale has been good, but it still decreases. It was from 150 to 100 lek. Is it worth it? Yes, we have also sold it for 30, but it is better for the production to rise. Does the merchant earn more than the peasant? The trader earns more than us, because we have the production and we will sell it as soon as it rots”, says a resident of the area.

Residents of the area emphasize that the price does not justify their effort, but this is the only way to earn some income.

Labinoti Mal chestnuts are being widely exported to Italy, collectors say, which uses them in confectionery and mainly in the production of chocolates.

“It is of very high quality, it is organic goods that we come and buy here, Italy attracted by it. Despite the fact that we have our problems with Italy for payment and transport with all this, we still tried and succeeded”, says Rakip Pisha, chestnut collector.

Apart from the difficulty that this product has in terms of harvesting, it does not require special care and for the farmers of this area it provides income, as for them it is the only way to live.