Montenegro’s agricultural trade reached €1.2bn in 2025, up 8.2% from the previous year, but the country remains heavily dependent on food imports. Exports covered only 9.94% of imports, highlighting a growing trade deficit, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management.
Agricultural exports totaled €106.2m in 2025, a modest increase of 0.8%, while imports rose much faster — up 9.6% to €1.07bn. The report says domestic production still cannot meet market demand.
Regional trade continues to dominate, with Serbia as Montenegro’s largest trading partner, accounting for 42% of exports and 35.1% of imports. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and EU countries such as Italy, Germany, and Croatia are also key partners.
Montenegro’s exports are concentrated in a few products, mainly dried and smoked meat (27.6% of exports), strong alcoholic beverages (23.3%), and wine (12.5%). Meat products and alcoholic drinks recorded notable export growth in 2025.
On the import side, meat was the largest category, making up 14.8% of total imports and exceeding €158m in value. Other major imports included processed foods, grain products, dairy products, and soft drinks.
Between 2022 and 2025, agricultural trade increased by more than 60%, but import growth far outpaced exports. Imports rose from €799m to over €1bn, while exports increased from €66.9m to €106.2m.
The report concludes that Montenegro faces structural challenges, including high import dependence, weak export diversification, and low competitiveness. Without stronger domestic production and higher-value agricultural goods, the country is expected to remain heavily reliant on food imports.