Beef and buffalo meat market in Montenegro

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the beef and buffalo meat market in Montenegro saw notable shifts. The government's adoption of the 'Directions of Development of Montenegro 2018-2021' strategy, focusing on economic and agricultural policies, provided a framework for market support. This was followed by market volume growth to 10 656 tonnes in 2019. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the economy, and a surge in production input costs pushed meat prices up by around 30%, leading to a contraction in market size to 9 229 tonnes.

Post-pandemic recovery lifted the market to 10 223 tonnes in 2021. A significant turn came in 2022 with the entry of the retailer Voli as a major importer of premium beef, introducing high-quality products from international farms. This move, alongside a clear shift in consumer preferences towards quality and premium segments, helped drive market expansion to 11 604 tonnes. Growth continued in 2023, with the market volume reaching 12 247 tonnes, sustained by steady demand in an evolving landscape.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Montenegro

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

Montenegro's beef and buffalo meat production has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 6 K t, marking a 10.5% rise compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 55.1%, which translates to an average annual increase of 15.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 4 K t. That same year saw the largest decline of 4.0%, while the biggest jump occurred in 2019 with a 46.2% increase.

Annual dynamics of production in Montenegro in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Montenegro

Exports in kind, t

The export market for beef and buffalo meat showed significant volatility over the observed period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 0.4 t and peaked in 2020 at 21 t, representing a dramatic 52-fold difference. In 2020, exports surged by 5 141.8% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, dropping by 90.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Montenegro in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Serbia, and Panama were the top three export markets for beef and buffalo meat from Montenegro, collectively accounting for 81.1% of total export volumes.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Montenegro in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values for beef and buffalo meat experienced considerable fluctuations during this timeframe. The lowest point was in 2019 at 3 K $ US, while the highest was in 2020 at 175 K $ US, showing a 57-fold increase. In 2020, export values rose sharply by 5 638.6% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 80.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Montenegro in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Arab Emirates dominated Montenegro's beef and buffalo meat export market in value terms, representing 71.3% of total exports. Other destinations played relatively minor roles during this period.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Montenegro in value, 2017-2020

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Montenegro

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Montenegro's beef and buffalo meat imports declined. In 2020, imports stood at 3 239 t, which is 37.9% lower than the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 34.4%, averaging an annual decline of 13.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 216 t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 3.3% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Montenegro in kind, 2017-2020, t

During 2017-2020, the Netherlands, Serbia, and Austria were the primary suppliers of beef and buffalo meat to Montenegro. Together, they accounted for 81.5% of total imports in volume, with the Netherlands leading at 51.7%, followed by Serbia at 22.1%, and Austria at 7.7%.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Montenegro in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of beef and buffalo meat into Montenegro declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import value was recorded at 12 434 K $ US, representing a 41.7% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 34.7%, with an average annual decline of 13.2%. The peak import value was in 2018 at 21 759 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 14.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Montenegro in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Serbia, and Brazil were the main suppliers of beef and buffalo meat to Montenegro in value terms. Collectively, they made up 79.1% of total imports, with the Netherlands contributing 45.8%, Serbia 25.1%, and Brazil 8.2%.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Montenegro in value, 2017-2020