Milk market in Montenegro

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the milk market in Montenegro gradually contracted from 212 thousand tons to 204 thousand tons. This period was marked by persistent competition from imported milk and dairy products from the region and the EU, which pressured domestic producers and created sales difficulties. State subsidies, such as payments of 0.03 euros per liter for cooperatives in Bijelo Polje municipality, provided some support to local production but could not fully offset the overall market decline.

A sharp drop occurred in 2022, with market volume falling by 10% to 184 thousand tons. This decline was primarily driven by a regional trade disruption when Serbia imposed an export ban on milk in February 2022, severely affecting supply availability in Montenegro. Concurrently, internal restrictions on raw milk purchases in the north of the country, implemented due to oversupply and marketing issues, further constrained the market.

A modest recovery followed in 2023, with the market expanding to 188 thousand tons. This coincided with the establishment of a Coordination Body to address purchase and sales challenges, and the three largest domestic dairies—Lazine, Nika, and Srna—reported growing revenues. Nevertheless, the sector continued to face pressure from high import levels, with imports reaching 26.4 thousand tons in 2023.

Production milk in Montenegro

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

In 2020, Montenegro produced 186 thousand tons of milk, representing a 1.3% increase compared to the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 187 thousand tons. The most significant production decline occurred in 2019, when output fell by 1.9%, while the largest increase was observed in 2018 with a 2.2% growth.

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

Exports milk from Montenegro

Exports in kind, t

The market showed considerable volatility during this period. Export volumes fluctuated significantly, with a 16-fold difference between the peak in 2017 and the low point in 2019. In 2020, Montenegro exported 329 tons of milk, marking a dramatic 767.5% increase from the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at just 38 tons, which represented an 89.7% decline from the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia were the dominant destinations for Montenegro's milk 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

Market volatility was evident in the value of exports as well. Export values varied by 14.4 times between the high in 2017 and the low in 2019. In 2020, Montenegro's milk exports reached 112 thousand US dollars, showing a substantial 629.5% increase compared to 2019. The minimum export value was recorded in 2019 at 15 thousand US dollars, representing an 88.5% decrease from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, two markets—Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia—dominated Montenegro's milk exports in value terms, jointly representing 98.9% of total export value.

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 to Montenegro

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Montenegro's milk import volume declined in 2020. Imports totaled 24 141 tons that year, representing a 10.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 2.9% overall, equivalent to an annualized decline of 1.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 27 008 tons, which marked a 5.0% increase from the previous year.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Bosnia and Herzegovina remained the primary supplier of milk to Montenegro, accounting for 71.1% of total import volumes, while the remainder was distributed among numerous other countries.

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 imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. Import value amounted to 14 593 thousand US dollars, showing a 6.3% reduction compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 2.9% overall, equivalent to an annualized decline of 1.0%. The peak import value was recorded in 2018 at 15 873 thousand US dollars, representing a 5.6% increase from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina accounted for 70.6% of Montenegro's total milk import value, with the remaining imports coming from multiple smaller trading partners.

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

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