Grocery Prices in Albania 2025 — A Complete Guide to Supermarkets in Vlora
Are you curious about grocery prices in Albania in 2025?
Then this guide is for you. You’ll be able to assess current food prices, product ranges, and estimate a monthly living budget for Albania.
We will visit 4 popular supermarkets in Vlora, detailing their strengths and benefits for the shopper.
So, the 4 popular retail outlets in Vlora are HASO, BIG MARKET, MERKATO, and TANI.
Each store has a dedicated video review — you’ll see products and grocery prices in Albania firsthand.
For reference: Vlora is a city of about 66,000 residents, well-covered by supermarket chains and local shops. In every city block, you’ll find a large store with a wide selection of food and everyday goods.
Price observation period: video recordings from November to December 2025.
To visit all these supermarkets and markets in one day and compare prices, the easiest way is to rent a car for 3–5 days. Many tourists and expats save 20–30% on groceries and time this way.
Comparison of Store Formats in Vlora
- Piglet meat with a price of 599 lek per kilogram in Vlora
Our observations are summarized in the table below.
| Store Name | Advantages & Features | Benefit for the Shopper |
|---|---|---|
| BIG MARKET (Transbalcanica) | Chain store, well-known branded goods | Famous brands at promotional prices |
| HIPERMARKET HASO (Transbalcanica) | Retail at wholesale-like prices, one-stop shop, huge assortment | Wide variety at low cost |
| MARKET TANI №1 (Near the port) | Always fresh vegetables and fruits in a wide range | Fresh produce at the best optimal price |
| MERKATO SAHATI (Old Town) | Numerous promotions, optimal assortment | Savings on everyday products |
Popular Markets in Vlora
BIG MARKET: Imported Brands with Promotions
- Entrance to Big Market on Transbalkan in Vlora, opened in December 2025
BIG MARKET is a major retail chain present in many Albanian cities, including Vlora. The store format caters to shoppers who value a wide choice, availability of known brands, and the ability to shop across many categories at once.
The assortment includes food, beverages, household goods, and related products. There is an abundance of branded goods and promotions for them. The second floor features household chemicals and home goods.
A detailed overview of prices and product selection at BIG MARKET on Transbalkanika (Vlora).
Coordinates: 40.463958, 19.482894
MERKATO SAHATI: Optimal Assortment and Numerous Promotions
- Building with a clock and the Merkato store in Vlora
Merkato stands out for its focus on everyday goods, meat, and cheeses, making it a prime destination for those seeking authentic Albanian flavors without overspending.
Prices here are among the lowest in Vlorë, with pasta at 0.55 euros for 500g and rice at 0.90 euros per kg. For expats and retirees, this means significant savings on daily groceries, potentially reducing your monthly bill by 20-30% compared to European levels.
Check out our full post and video about Merkato to see an aisle-by-aisle walkthrough and current price tags. Merkato is especially convenient for economical shopping, including local products.
A review of the MERKATO SAHATI store and product selection in Vlora.
Coordinates: 40.473008, 19.490834
HASO HIPERMARKET: One-Stop Shopping with Big, Frequent Discounts
- Entrance and facade of HASO hypermarket in Vlora
HASO is a large hypermarket at Transbalcanica, focused on small wholesale and retail trade as a “one-stop shop.” The assortment includes basic food, beverages, and essentials. The store format offers a very wide selection of food, home goods, and chemicals.
At the second floor are features home items.
It has a broad selection of drinks, beer, juices, and various wines from both foreign and local producers. The price per case is cheaper than for single items. A unique feature is the option to self-serve and weigh dried fruits—something not found in other stores.
Regular promotions are held on various product groups. The store is suitable for regular “one-place” shopping for a wide range of people, including expats and retirees.
Good to know: HASO runs the most powerful flash sales I have personally observed. For example, bananas for 130 Lek/kg (regular price 180-220 lek) or raisins for 450 Lek/kg (regular price 500-650 lek), and so on. These low prices are “gifts” enjoyed by regular visitors.
Learn more about the HASO Hypermarket in Vlora.
Coordinates: 40.462897, 19.482411
MARKET TANI №1: Fresh Local Produce at Good Prices
- Facade and entrance of Market TANI store in Vlora
MARKET TANI is a “neighborhood” format store located in the central part of the city. Its main advantage is always fresh vegetables, fruits, and meat thanks to efficient cooperation with local suppliers. A wide range of vegetables and fruits covers all basic needs.
The store actively reacts to changes in seasonal produce prices and often “sets” the price trend in the city. It enjoys well-deserved popularity among locals and expats.
Read more about MARKET TANI №1 in Vlora.
Coordinates: 40.454988, 19.482927
Lifehack: Two Spots with Optimal Prices in Vlora
- Promotional image of 1.5-liter milk priced at 130 lek in Vlora
Bulmet Store — 1.5 liters of fresh cow’s milk costs 130 Lek (1.3 euros). Located near the Kotec café, about a block (200 meters) from the Christian Church.
Bring your own empty container — they will fill it with milk for you.
Coordinates: 40.465236, 19.486149
- Raisins priced at 500 lek per kilogram in Vlora
Dried Fruit Store — 1 kg of fresh, large yellow raisins costs 500 Lek (5 euros). Located 100 meters from the Christian Church.
Coordinates: 40.467029, 19.486908
From the author: Prices are current as of December 25, 2025.
Summary Table of Selected Product Prices
Note: This is a “snapshot” of prices as of December 25, 2025. Prices can change actively in each store, but the table generally shows a certain average price level in Vlora.
| Store Name | Bread, 500g | Eggs, 1 pc | Kaçkavall Cheese, 1kg | Apples | Chicken, 1kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HASO HIPERMARKET | 60 Lek (0.60€) | 22 Lek | 1000 Lek | 59 Lek | 300 Lek |
| MERKATO SAHATI | — | 22 Lek | 1000 Lek | 100 Lek | 360 Lek |
| BIG MARKET | — | — | 799 Lek | — | 299 Lek |
| MARKET TANI №1 | — | 25 Lek | 1100 Lek | 100 Lek | 360 Lek |
Useful to Know About Albania:
- Shop window and street entrance of ASO bakery in Vlora
Traditionally, bread and byrek (triangular pies) are sold in separate small bakeries, which are found “on every corner.”
- Therefore, not all large supermarkets sell bread and pastries.
- Fish and seafood are sold almost exclusively in specialized small shops, where they can clean and even cook it for you. You won’t find fresh fish in supermarkets.
- Pastries, cakes, and sweets are sold in small pastry shops. You won’t find fresh cakes in supermarkets. Supermarkets only sell panettone (Christmas cakes) during the holiday season.
- Ice cream is also sold by weight in small parlors. You won’t find it in supermarkets.
For New Year’s, turkey is a must — we recommend joining this Albanian tradition. The price for turkey ranges from 5 to 7 euros per kg.
If ready to plan your shopping and stay in Vlora
Here’s everything you need to get started:
👉 Rent a car for 3–5 days → DiscoverCars
👉 Book tours & boat trips → GetYourGuide
Conclusions
- Promotional apples priced at 89 lek per kilogram at HASO
Hopefully, you now have a clear picture of grocery prices in Albania for 2025. Vlora has many food stores, and your task as a shopper is to choose fresh products at the best prices for your budget.
The optimal approach for most residents and visitors is to combine different store formats depending on your goals.
- Produce markets are best for fresh seasonal products.
- Chain supermarkets are convenient for large shopping trips and diverse assortments.
- Local neighborhood stores offer convenience and proximity.
- The hypermarket delights regular customers with powerful flash sales (gifts).
Advice for Readers
Based on my experience living in Albania, I recommend:
- Create a shopping route that allows you to bypass the best discount stores — this will reduce your grocery costs while maintaining the quality of your products.
- Visit more stores frequently — this will broaden your horizons regarding current prices.
Interesting to know: large stores offer more promotions and one-time discounts than smaller stores.
To save the most on food, choose accommodation with a kitchen. Cooking from these stores then costs only 10–15 € per day for two instead of 20–30 € eating out.
👉 Book an apartment with kitchen → EXPEDIA
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Leave a comment below: which store would you visit first?
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