Kiwifruit market in Montenegro

Earlier Report Observations

The kiwifruit market in Montenegro showed steady volume growth from 2018 to 2023, expanding from 648 tons to 794 tons. This increase was entirely driven by rising imports, as domestic production remained constant at 500 tons annually. In the early years, market volume grew gradually with imports filling the gap left by declining exports, which fell to zero after 2020.

From 2021 onward, global market dynamics influenced the Montenegrin market. Zespri's expansion in China and the launch of new kiwi varieties enhanced international supply and consumer interest, coinciding with a 27% surge in Montenegro's imports that year. Subsequent strategic partnerships, like Zespri's collaboration with distributors in Southeast Asia, helped stabilize supply chains. By 2023, the emergence of new product segments, such as Pharmactive's KWD+ kiwi extract for protein absorption, created additional demand for kiwifruit as a raw material, supporting further market growth.

In 2024, the implementation of the New Zealand-European Union Free Trade Agreement eliminated tariffs on kiwi fruit, boosting the competitiveness of New Zealand exports in the European region. This trade policy shift coincided with a decrease in Montenegro's imports, which may also have been affected by supply-side factors like the reduced availability of migrant labor for harvesting in Europe. Concurrently, innovation in varieties and distribution continued, including pre-commercial trials of red kiwifruit in Italy and Zespri's partnership with Amazon Fresh in the U.S.

Production kiwifruit in Montenegro

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Montenegro ranked as the 18th largest producer of kiwifruit in the world.

Top producers of kiwifruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of kiwifruit, 2017-2020

In 2020, Montenegro produced 500.0 t of kiwifruit, showing broad stability compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018 at 0.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of growth, kiwifruit production in Montenegro declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 409.8 K $ US, marking an 8.7% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 17.2%, which translates to an annualized rate of 5.4%. The maximum value was reached in 2019 at 448.8 K $ US, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 21.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Montenegro in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports kiwifruit from Montenegro

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2020, with a 56-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Montenegro exported 0.8 t of kiwifruit, representing a steep 96.0% decrease year-over-year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 19.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia accounted for 73.1% of total exports in kind, with the remaining flows distributed among a broad group of smaller countries.

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

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Export levels fluctuated 47-fold between the high in 2017 and the low in 2020. In 2020, Montenegro's kiwifruit exports amounted to 0.7 K $ US, equivalent to an abrupt 96.4% decline compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 26.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia accounted for 71.9% of total exports in value terms, with the remaining flows distributed among a broad group of smaller countries.

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

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

Imports kiwifruit to Montenegro

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Montenegro imported 181.9 t of kiwifruit, down by 3.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 2.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 165.0 t, while the maximum was in 2019 at 187.8 t. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 11.4%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 13.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Greece, Italy, and Chile—together absorbed 94.1% of total imports in kind of kiwifruit to Montenegro.

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

In 2020, Montenegro imported a total of 184.9 K $ US of kiwifruit, representing a moderate 3.3% decline year-over-year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 19.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 180.1 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 21.8%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 6.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece (38.2% of imports in value terms), Italy (32.1% of imports in value terms), and Chile (25.9% of imports in value terms) continued to be the main suppliers of kiwifruit to Montenegro, jointly forming 96.1% of total imports in value terms.

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

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