Montenegro’s Directorate for Market Inspection acted on all 25 complaints and enquiries from consumers who reported difficulty buying pellets and will focus November inspections on supply obligations, Milutin Butorović, a minister without portfolio, said. Inspectors will check whether producers and traders deliver at least the average quantities supplied over the previous 12 months, a rule intended to maintain supply and availability for consumers.
Inspectors responded to all reports received up to that point and visited businesses selling pellets together with the consumers who had contacted the Directorate. In every case reported, the visits enabled consumers to buy pellets. The complaints came as households prepared for winter and the heating season.
Some consumers said traders and producers had told them they no longer had raw materials for sale. Others faced extra charges for transport and packaging after the Government introduced price limits. The Directorate is also checking whether sellers add fees that are not permitted under the rules.
The Government introduced the minimum-delivery requirement because of supply challenges. Producers and traders may not deliver to the Montenegrin market less than their average deliveries during the previous 12 months. The obligation is intended to prevent unjustified reductions in supply and ensure continuity of deliveries to consumers.
November inspections will give particular attention to compliance with the minimum volumes. If inspectors find irregularities in deliveries, they will take measures within their legal powers. Checks will also continue on prices, sales, business records and consumer complaints.
Price limits and inspection findings
In early October, the Government amended its decision on temporary measures to limit pellet prices, setting a maximum of 250 euros per tonne for A2 and 270 euros per tonne for A1. In mid-October, it barred additional charges for transport and packaging after some traders began charging consumers separately for those services.
No other fees may be added to the regulated prices, including for transport or separate packaging. The market inspectorate is checking price formation and additional costs alongside sales, required business records and deliveries. It will continue responding to reports and complaints from consumers.
Inspections to date found 10 irregularities and resulted in 10 decisions. Inspectors also issued 20 misdemeanour orders, with fines totalling 8,550 euros. In two cases, the companies were found not to be operating.
The irregularities included failures to keep required records of purchases and sales in wholesale and retail outlets, and failures to notify the competent inspectorate of the start of trading activity within the required period. Inspectors also found that businesses had not provided packaging material suited to the type and properties of the goods.
Possible export suspension
Vladimir Joković, head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, said pellet exports from Montenegro would most likely be suspended to ensure sufficient quantities for the domestic market. The ministry is linked to consideration of the export halt, while the Government’s supply requirement and the November inspections are intended to protect deliveries within Montenegro.
