Vine Pruning Residues and Wine Fermentation By-Products, a Non-Exploited Source, Albania Case

Albania, situated in southeastern Europe, enjoys a Mediterranean climate well-suited for grape cultivation. Since the 1990s, the country has experienced a resurgence in its rich winemaking traditions, which have gained considerable attention over the last decade. Alongside its significant wine production, Albania generates large amounts of vine pruning waste and fermentation by-products, estimated at over 50,000 tons of prunings and 35900 tons of grape pomace annually. This waste is often burned outdoors, releasing considerable CO2 emissions and contributing to greenhouse gas levels. However, recycling these prunings into fertilizer presents a sustainable choice, providing key minerals, nitrogen, phosphorus, and various micronutrients, thereby lessening the dependence on synthetic fertilizers in farming. Additionally, there is a potential for using wine fermentation waste as fertilizer for agricultural land or vineyards. The Albanian wine sector has significant untapped opportunities, such as employing vine pruning ash as a mineral fertilizer to help achieve sustainability goals.