Montenegro faces significant challenges in its agricultural sector, particularly in meeting the food demands of its tourism industry. Each summer, the nation imports substantial amounts of food to cater to visitors, despite having the potential for a more robust local food economy.
This situation highlights the fragmentation of farms across the country, which are generally small and seasonal in their production capabilities. The existing certification processes and cold-chain logistics are inconsistent, creating hurdles for local suppliers. In contrast, hotels and supermarkets require reliable deliveries of standardized quantities, often leading them to rely on imports due to their more dependable supply chains.
Data from the first ten months of 2025 indicates that Montenegro imported about eight euros worth of goods for every euro exported across its economy, with an even larger deficit observed in the food sector.
The report titled From Mountain Farm to Coastal Hotel: Fixing Montenegro’s Missing Supply Chain identifies a key opportunity for improvement. It suggests that farmers should not have to negotiate with multiple restaurants individually, nor should hotels manage numerous small deliveries. Solutions such as aggregation centers, cooperatives, digital procurement systems, and refrigerated logistics could help streamline this process.
In response to these challenges, the government allocated a record agricultural budget of approximately €77 million for 2025. This funding aims to enhance yield, processing capabilities, certification standards, and market access rather than simply providing more fragmented subsidies.
Furthermore, Montenegro is encouraged to stop selling certain products like cheese, cured meats, honey, wine, olive oil, herbs, and berries as commodities. These items possess a competitive advantage due to their origin and craftsmanship; however, without proper branding or traceability, much of their value is lost.
A potential avenue for growth lies in agritourism. The initiative Can Agritourism Revive Montenegro’s Northern Villages? proposes that farm stays, tastings, workshops, and active holidays could connect small producers with higher-margin customers while promoting tourism beyond the coastal areas.
However, climate change poses additional challenges. Issues such as water availability, wildfire risks, and shifting growing conditions necessitate improved irrigation practices, insurance solutions, and resilient crop selection strategies.
While it may not be feasible for Montenegro to eliminate all food imports completely, the goal should be to excel in specific categories where freshness and local identity are paramount. By ensuring that domestic supply chains are reliable and effective, Montenegro’s hospitality sector can showcase local agriculture more effectively.
