Kosovo's fertile lands and developing food processing industry place the country in a strategic position in terms of agricultural investments. However, the most critical feasibility item for international companies planning to purchase large-scale agricultural land or establish industrial greenhouses is "access to water". Agricultural irrigation data for 2010-2023 published by the Kosovo Statistics Agency (ASK) strikingly shows that agriculture in Kosovo is rapidly becoming dependent on groundwater (wells) rather than surface water.
Total Irrigation Water Demand in Kosovo Agriculture Climate change and the extension of drought periods directly increase the agricultural irrigation need in Kosovo. According to ASK data, Kosovo agriculture consumed a total of 102.8 million cubic meters of water in 2023. This volume of consumption proves that agriculture remains one of the largest users of water in Kosovo and that irrigation infrastructure is vital for food security.
Radical Increase in Well Water (Ground) Use: 10-Year Analysis The most striking element in irrigation is where the water is supplied from. According to official data, in 2013, farmers met most of their irrigation needs (54.84 million m³) from drainage/canal systems and a very small part (12.66 million m³) from wells. However, by 2023, this situation has completely reversed. The use of well water (underground water reserves) jumped to 56.33 million cubic meters, surpassing surface water (46.47 million m³).
(Kosovo Investment Editorial Comment:) This huge trend towards underground (well) water contains two important signals for agriculture and food investors. First; Excessive withdrawal of groundwater may cause ESG risks such as decreasing water levels (reserve depletion) in the medium term and difficulty in obtaining well drilling licenses. The second and opportunity aspect is; There is a modernization gap worth billions of euros in the market for companies that sell sensor drip irrigation (IoT-supported Smart Irrigation), rainwater harvesting and agricultural water recovery technologies instead of wild irrigation or develop projects in Kosovo with these systems. "Green agriculture" funds of institutions such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) provide intensive grant support to projects that provide water efficiency. Data alone is not enough to make an investment decision; Water use permits (Water Permit), land allocations and local agricultural incentives should also be legally examined.
i Climate change and the extension of drought periods directly increase the need for agricultural irrigation in Kosovo. According to ASK data, Kosovo agriculture consumed a total of 102.8 million cubic meters of water in 2023. This volume of consumption proves that agriculture remains one of the largest users of water in Kosovo and that irrigation infrastructure is vital for food security.