Top Takeaways:
- New distributor: JTI appoints Nelt Group to manage distribution in Albania, expanding regional operations.
- Jobs created: The partnership has led to 50 new local positions as Nelt establishes a dedicated Albanian team.
- Regional strategy: The deal builds on existing JTI–Nelt cooperation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and supports Nelt’s growth outlook.
Japan Tobacco International (JTI) has appointed Nelt Group, a Serbian logistics company, as its distribution partner in Albania, expanding its regional supply chain footprint in Southeast Europe.
The partnership, announced on December 22, includes establishing a dedicated local distribution team in Albania and has already created 50 new jobs, according to Alban Ujkashej, Nelt Group’s executive director for the Albanian market.
Nelt said the agreement marks a shift in its Albanian business model, moving toward a more integrated, market-specific distribution structure to support JTI’s tobacco product portfolio. For JTI, the company said the partnership is intended to strengthen its commercial presence in Albania and improve route-to-market efficiency.
The deal builds on an existing relationship between JTI and Nelt Group in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the companies already cooperate on distribution activities.
Founded in 1992, Nelt Group operates in 14 countries across Europe and Africa, providing logistics, distribution, and supply chain services to multinational consumer goods companies. The company expects revenue to increase by 9% in 2025 to approximately €1.5 billion, according to its latest guidance.
JTI did not disclose the financial terms of the Albanian distribution agreement.
