Melons and papayas market in Montenegro

Earlier Report Observations

The market for melons and papayas in Montenegro showed considerable movement between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 20,619 t, the total market volume declined over the next three years, falling to 16,474 t in 2021. This drop was largely due to a surge in exports, which reached 4,949 t that year. A strong recovery followed in 2022, with the market expanding to 20,028 t, before stabilizing near 19,788 t in 2023.

Regulatory measures affected the market's trajectory. In 2018, Montenegro introduced a regulation governing the use of chemicals in agriculture, setting new safety standards for production. Further revisions to these chemical rules in 2022 continued to shape compliance requirements, coinciding with a rebound in domestic output, which grew from 17,438 t in 2020 to 21,046 t in 2023.

By 2024, the regulatory landscape evolved further with a new rulebook on food-contact packaging for fresh produce, effective October 2024. Montenegro's trade policy, including its CEFTA membership and ongoing EU accession negotiations, along with the domestic 'Europe Now 2' policy package altering taxes, established a framework influencing market operations and trade flows.

Production melons and papayas in Montenegro

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

World map of production of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

Montenegro's production of melons and papayas has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 17 438 tons, marking an 8.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 9.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 19 924 tons, with that year also seeing the largest increase of 3.4%.

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

Exports melons and papayas from Montenegro

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 1.8-fold difference between these two extremes. In 2020, Montenegro exported 1 998 tons of melons and papayas, representing a sharp 75.3% increase over the previous year. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 140 tons, with that year also experiencing the largest decline of 32.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina consistently accounted for 73.9% of Montenegro's total exports in volume, highlighting a strong concentration on this market. The remaining exports were distributed among other 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

In 2020, Montenegro exported melons and papayas worth 387.4 thousand US dollars, up 42.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 70.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 19.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 4.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina was the dominant buyer of melons and papayas from Montenegro, accounting for 71.3% of total export value. Other countries shared the remaining portion.

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

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

Imports melons and papayas to Montenegro

Imports in kind, t

After two consecutive years of decline, Montenegro's imports of melons and papayas increased. In 2020, imports reached 2 225 tons, up 9.2% year-over-year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 37.9%, with an average annual decline of 14.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 037 tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 33.1% drop.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Albania and Greece remained the key partners for Montenegro's imports in volume, together accounting for 82.8% of total imports. Other partners made up the remainder.

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 melons and papayas valued at 600.5 thousand US dollars, representing an 11.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value fell by 20.7%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 7.4%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 1.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Albania (53.6% of import value), Greece (22.1%), and Italy (6.4%) continued to be the main suppliers of melons and papayas to Montenegro. Together, these three countries accounted for 82.2% of total import value.

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

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