€11 Billion on Food Imports in Two Decades: PKCG Analysis Exposes Montenegro’s Dependence

In the two decades since the restoration of independence, Montenegro has spent around €11 billion on food imports, while exports were ten times smaller. As a result, the trade deficit in this sector has reached nearly €10 billion, according to an analysis by the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro (PKCG).

In the 2022–2025 period alone, food imports reached €1.06 billion, driven by tourism growth, rising prices and the presence of around 95,000 foreign nationals living and working in the country.

The analysis shows that the number of agricultural holdings fell from 38,798 to 26,711 within 15 years. A third of them have at most half a hectare of land, while only 235 households have 50 hectares or more. Agriculture’s share of gross domestic product stood at 3.5% in 2024.

According to the PKCG, even strong tourism failed to become an engine for domestic agriculture — to meet tourist demand, food imports grow 20 to 25% every year. Around €400 million was invested in agriculture through 2027 via the IPARD II and III, MIDAS, IFAD programmes, EIB/EBRD loans, the agrobudget and investor participation, but results have remained limited.

The main causes, according to the analysis, are the fragmentation of agricultural holdings, rural depopulation, a weak processing industry and high import dependence. The Chamber of Economy warns that without a long-term strategy, domestic production will not be able to reduce the trade deficit.

Source: Vijesti