Montenegro is becoming increasingly dependent on imports, with figures this year showing a sharp rise compared to last year. By June, the country imported nearly €500 million worth of food and beverages, an increase of €50 million from 2024.
Despite citizens’ preference for domestic products, many opt for imports due to lower prices. Milutin Đuranović from the Chamber of Commerce attributes rising prices, such as the cost of tomatoes nearly doubling, to the growing reliance on imported food.
So far this year, Montenegro imported €493 million of food and beverages compared to €442 million last year, while exports slightly declined from €39.5 million to €38 million.
The Ministry of Economic Development stated that it has improved regulatory frameworks and implemented measures within its authority. However, opposition figures blame past governments for favoring import lobbies. Dejan Đurović emphasized that upcoming laws and strategies will aim to support domestic producers, provide subsidies, and make them competitive with foreign imports.
DPS MP Aleksandra Despotović raised concerns over food security and whether domestic producers have adequate access to markets. She noted that tourism could be leveraged to promote local products, but hotels often serve imported brands instead.
The Chamber of Commerce also highlighted that citizens rarely buy Montenegrin products, suggesting that if every citizen spent one euro per day on local goods, imports could be reduced by a quarter, generating around €237 million annually.
Meanwhile, citizens face rising prices, and domestic producers worry about the viability of their farms, caught between import dependence and limited support.
