Montenegro’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Vladimir Joković will propose suspending pellet exports at a meeting on 4 November 2026, aiming to secure enough supply for the domestic market. He outlined the proposal on TVCG’s morning programme and also raised the possibility of adjusting the regulated price. The measures are intended to protect companies while enabling consumers, including schools and hospitals, to buy pellets at acceptable prices.
The export halt could take effect from Thursday, but the Ministry of Economy is responsible for imposing it. That ministry, rather than the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, also has authority to set pellet prices. Joković is due to propose the export measure at the meeting.
Domestic demand is met by 15% to 20% of total production, with the rest exported, according to Joković. He said producers currently receive a more favourable price for exports because prices on the domestic market are capped, while some producers also export pellets at lower prices.
Price cap and supply constraints
The current regulated price is the lowest in the region, and Joković said it remained to be determined whether that level was sustainable and profitable for producers. He said pellet prices had been too high before the cap was proposed following discussions with manufacturers.
Producers had complained that they lacked sufficient raw material. In response, the state banned exports of sawdust and offcuts so the material would be processed in Montenegro, Joković said. Consumers, meanwhile, report that pellets are unavailable at the capped prices even though the country produces them and exports large quantities.
Some sellers, according to the minister, have stopped packaging pellets despite being required to do so, refused to load them or charged excessive transport fees after the price limit was introduced. Joković said he had spoken with inspectors who had visited the field, but that the penalties imposed were not large.
The meeting was due to include Minister of Economic Development Niko Gjeloshaj and Milutin Butorović, president of the Coordination Body for Monitoring and Directing Inspection Supervision. Joković said the solution should protect companies and allow citizens to buy pellets at acceptable prices, particularly given the needs of schools and hospitals. Any export ban would depend on a decision by the Ministry of Economy.
