Montenegro’s total exports for the first eight months of 2025 amounted to 365.7 million euros, while imports of food and live animals alone reached 555.4 million euros. This means that food imports exceeded the country’s total exports by nearly 190 million euros, according to Monstat data on Montenegro’s foreign trade for the period.
From January to August, exports fell by almost 18 million euros, or 4.6%, while food imports increased by 8.5%, or nearly 44 million euros. The data highlight how little Montenegro produces and exports: imports of meat and meat products (117.5 million euros), fruit and vegetables (90 million), dairy products and eggs (72.4 million), and cereals (74.1 million) totaled 354 million euros over eight months—almost equal to the country’s entire export value.
Energy trade also shows a deficit due to the reconstruction of the Pljevlja Thermal Power Plant. Exports of electricity reached 73.1 million euros, while imports were 88.3 million euros, up 32 million euros compared to last year. The main reason is that the Pljevlja plant has been offline since April for ecological reconstruction, with operations expected to resume by November 15. Recent government reports indicate delays in the project, with subcontractors potentially needed to complete the work on time. EPCG estimates the production halt could cost between 70 and 80 million euros.
Overall, Montenegro’s foreign trade for the first eight months totaled 3.253 billion euros, an increase of 5.1% (about 170 million euros) compared to the same period last year. The growth was driven primarily by imports, which rose by 6.5% (177 million euros). Export coverage of imports fell to 12.7%, down from 14.2% last year.
In export structure by Standard International Trade Classification (SITC), mineral fuels and lubricants dominated, totaling 96.9 million euros, including 73.1 million from electricity. In imports, machinery and transport equipment were the largest category at 699.2 million euros, including 275.5 million euros in road vehicles.
Montenegro’s main export partners were Serbia (97.7 million euros), Bosnia and Herzegovina (31.8 million), and Slovenia (27.5 million), while the largest import partners were Serbia (502.2 million euros), China (350.7 million), and Germany (287.6 million). Most foreign trade occurred with CEFTA signatories and the European Union.
