Milk and cream market in Montenegro

Earlier Report Observations

The market for milk and cream in Montenegro contracted from 225.9 thousand tons in 2018 to 197.8 thousand tons in 2023. This downward trend unfolded as Montenegro, an EU candidate country, undertook significant harmonization of its food labeling and product quality regulations with EU standards. The introduction of new labeling rules for dairy products from 2018 onward likely affected market conditions and production compliance.

A steep decline of nearly 10% occurred in 2022, bringing the market volume to 193.7 thousand tons. The following year saw a partial recovery of 2%, with volume reaching 197.8 thousand tons. Domestic production mirrored this volatility, falling to 166.9 thousand tons in 2022 before a slight increase to 171.6 thousand tons in 2023.

The regulatory alignment process continued into 2024, with Montenegro adopting further EU updates on food safety and microbiological criteria for milk and cream. This ongoing integration into the EU regulatory framework remains a defining feature of the market's operating environment.

Production milk and cream in Montenegro

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk and cream, 2017-2020

Montenegro's milk and cream production rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2020, production reached 197 thousand tons, marking a 1.5% year-over-year increase. Looking at the 2017-2020 period overall, production decreased by 2.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 0.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 194 thousand tons, when the sector experienced its largest decline of 3.5%.

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

Exports milk and cream from Montenegro

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility throughout this period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at just 38 tons, while the highest occurred in 2017, creating a dramatic 16-fold difference between these peak and trough levels. In 2020, Montenegro exported 329 tons of milk and cream, representing an extraordinary 768.3% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline of 89.7% was recorded in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia dominated Montenegro's milk and cream exports, together accounting for 99.7% 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

The market exhibited considerable volatility during these years. Import values fluctuated dramatically, with a 14.4-fold difference between the high point in 2017 and the low point in 2019. In 2020, Montenegro's milk and cream exports totaled 112 thousand US dollars, reflecting a substantial 632.7% increase compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 15 thousand US dollars, when exports experienced their largest decline of 88.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia captured the overwhelming majority of Montenegro's milk and cream export value, jointly accounting for 99.0% of total export earnings.

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

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

Imports milk and cream to Montenegro

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Montenegro's milk and cream imports declined. In 2020, imports totaled 24 100 tons, representing a 10.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 2.8%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 1.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 26 947 tons, when imports saw their largest increase of 5.0%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Bosnia and Herzegovina remained the dominant source for Montenegro's milk and cream imports, accounting for 71.2% of total import volumes, with the remainder distributed across various other markets.

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

Montenegro's milk and cream imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 14 467 thousand US dollars, reflecting a modest 6.2% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 2.8%, with an average annual decline of 0.9%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 15 696 thousand US dollars, when imports experienced their largest increase of 5.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Montenegro's milk and cream imports in value terms were heavily concentrated on Bosnia and Herzegovina, which accounted for 71.2% of total import spending, with other countries collectively making up the remaining share.

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

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