These scenes illustrate the dire situation of farmers in southeastern Albania. Entire orchards are being uprooted, as many farmers have lost hope and the ability to continue working the land.

Zvirinë village, in the Maliq municipality, has long been known for apple production. The Nurka family, engaged in apple farming for three generations, has now made a drastic decision—to cut down all their trees after failing to sell their produce for the past three to four years.

The apple trees being uprooted were planted in recent years. The family invested everything they earned from working abroad into this land, but market conditions have forced Skënder Nurka to abandon his family’s legacy.

“There’s no market, prices are terrible, pesticides are a disaster, and apples don’t sell. What else can I do—cut my own head off? My son is gone, my daughter too. I’m 65, living on a pension. The apples remain unsold, though they are top quality. The whole country is in the same situation. I still have another orchard, but I don’t know how much longer I can last here,” said the desperate farmer.

The frustration of seeing a lifetime of investment, hard work, and sacrifice go to waste is overwhelming.

“How can you not feel heartbroken? We grew up with this work. I graduated in agronomy in ‘79. This is how I fed myself, my father, and my son. Now my son left for Italy—three years ago. This is not our fault; the fault lies with those who have exploited us to the core,” he added.

The cutting of fruit trees is also happening in the Devoll region, where farmers are giving up on orchards due to lack of market access, unfair competition, and most importantly, the overwhelming presence of imported products.

Across Maliq and Devoll, approximately 35 hectares of fruit-bearing land have been abandoned, as farmers see no future in continuing their work.