Ministry of Agriculture steps up control of the pellet market: citizens urged to report abuses

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of Montenegro has called on citizens who buy pellets to report any abuse or irregularity during the purchase of this heating fuel, as RTCG reports. The Ministry announced that, ahead of the heating season, it will order the inspection services to increase control over the sale and circulation of pellets.

Sellers, the Ministry’s announcement stresses, are obliged to offer pellets for free sale on equal terms, in accordance with the rules governing trade and consumer protection.

According to the Ministry, it has recently received a large number of complaints from citizens about the sale and availability of pellets on the market, particularly packaged pellets. Citizens have reported refusals to sell packaged pellets, offers of bulk pellets only, quantities reserved for predetermined buyers and purchases conditioned in various ways; cases have also been reported in which citizens are forced to use transport provided by the sellers themselves, for an additional fee per tonne.

According to the Ministry, such a practice is unacceptable: refusing a sale, conditioning a purchase or any other form that limits the availability of pellets for citizens or artificially influences the market and prices is not allowed. Prices must be clearly displayed and the same for everyone, regardless of the buyer, the quantity or the method of payment.

The Ministry announced that it will order the inspection services to step up controls: inspections will verify whether pellets are freely offered for sale, whether citizens are conditioned during purchase and whether the rules on prices and trade are respected; fines provided for by law will be imposed for every violation found. Citizens are invited to report every case of refusal, conditioning, imposed transport or unjustified price increases, noting the place of sale and, if possible, submitting proof of the purchase or attempted purchase.