Increasing food production is a strategic priority for every country. Montenegro has the potential to boost its agricultural output and reduce import dependency. A notable example is chicken meat, of which Montenegro imported 31 million euros worth last year.
The Bijelo Polje-based company Mesopromet produces between 1,500 and 1,800 tons of chicken meat annually. Owner Hilmo Franca believes production can increase enough to substitute imports.
Mesopromet employs nearly 800 workers and contributes 25 to 30% of domestic food production. Franca states that although there has been a modest production increase of 7-8%, domestic production has largely stagnated in recent years despite the potential for much higher output.
Currently, the company raises about 1.2 million chickens on its own and cooperative farms, aiming to reach 2 million by the end of next year. Franca estimates that Montenegro could fully replace or eliminate chicken meat imports within 5 to 6 years, given the relatively fast production cycle. He highlights challenges such as local issues and insufficient state subsidies, urging the government to pay greater attention to supporting domestic producers.
In addition to poultry, Mesopromet and its cooperators fatten around 1,000 cattle annually. However, Franca points out a lack of premiums for imported calves and a shortage of local breeding stock, limiting the capacity to increase domestic beef production.
The company expects to increase the number of cattle in fattening by 300 to 500 heads by the end of September. Despite being a significant importer, Franca emphasizes that production is the core of every economy.
