The Nika dairy from Nikšić has emphasized the need for a “Buy Local” campaign to support the production and processing of domestic products.
Tadija Šljukić, the director of Nika dairy, told Radio Montenegro that milk processors are gradually regaining the trust of local consumers after a decline in sales last year due to the Q fever outbreak.
He believes that the government should launch the “Buy Local” campaign, which is crucial not only for milk processors but for the entire domestic agriculture sector.
“It’s a long process to regain those customers. For example, we saw a 43% growth in sales until September last year, but we experienced a negative trend in November and December,” said Šljukić.
He also pointed out the intense competition from regional dairies.
“Our farmers face much higher costs to produce a liter of milk than producers in Serbia, not to mention in Croatia,” Šljukić added.
Nika dairy processes 11 tons of raw milk daily.
“Our goal this year is to increase that to 20 tons per day,” said Šljukić.
However, he mentioned that there are challenges in the sales process, particularly with the competition from imported products.
“We are facing enormous competition from imports, mostly from large dairy giants. Montenegro produces only about 6% of its total milk production. We also have imports that engage in classic price dumping, with producers in their home countries charging 30 to 40% more than in Montenegro,” Šljukić explained.
He emphasized the need for a campaign that processors cannot finance on their own, one that would promote the purchase of domestic products, which is essential for the survival of Montenegro’s agriculture.
