Pork market in Montenegro

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the pork market in Montenegro experienced notable fluctuations from 2018 to 2023. Starting at 26 764 t in 2018, it contracted to 24 228 t in 2019 and further to 23 515 t in 2020. A strong recovery followed, with the market reaching 26 928 t in 2021. After a modest decline to 25 540 t in 2022, it expanded significantly to 29 256 t in 2023.

These shifts were largely driven by variations in import volumes, which constitute the bulk of supply. Domestic production remained relatively stable, between 3 173 t and 4 002 t annually. The decline in imports during 2019 and 2020 reduced the overall market size, while sharp import increases in 2021 and 2023 propelled market growth.

In 2024, pork imports increased slightly to 26 728 t. During this period, Montenegro began transposing EU regulations on meat import control to align with European standards, and the price for fresh pork rose to approximately 4 EUR per kg amid broader food price increases.

Production pork in Montenegro

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

Montenegro's pork production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 4 K t of pork, marking a significant 11.2% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 2.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 3 K t, which also saw the biggest drop of 11.9%.

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

Exports pork from Montenegro

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed notable fluctuations during this period. From the peak in 2017 to the low in 2020, export volumes varied dramatically, changing 107 times. In 2020, Montenegro exported just 1 t of pork, a sharp decline of 98.8% compared to the year before. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 593.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia and North Macedonia consistently made up 91.7% of Montenegro's total pork exports in volume, showing a highly concentrated market with many smaller buyers making up the rest.

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 displayed an unstable trend over this timeframe. There was a 43-fold difference between the high in 2019 and the low in 2020. In 2020, Montenegro's pork exports were valued at 4 K $ US, a dramatic 97.7% decrease from 2019. The peak value was in 2019 at 177 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 2 425.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, North Macedonia was the main buyer of Montenegrin pork, accounting for 79.2% of total export value, while a diverse group of other countries purchased the remaining 20.8%.

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

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

Imports pork to Montenegro

Imports in kind, t

Montenegro's pork imports have fallen for two consecutive years. In 2020, imports totaled 19 514 t, down 5.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 6.8%, with an average annual decline of 2.3%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 23 335 t. The largest drop was in 2019 at 11.4%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 11.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (31.3% of import volume), Spain (23.9%), and the Netherlands (20.6%) were the core sources of pork imports to Montenegro, together accounting for 75.8% of total volume.

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 pork import value has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports were recorded at 50 970 K $ US, a solid 12.6% reduction compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value fell by 9.6%, with an average annual decrease of 3.3%. The peak was in 2018 at 58 722 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 4.2%.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany (29.6% of import value), Spain (26.9%), and the Netherlands (19.0%) were the primary sources for Montenegro's pork imports in value terms, collectively making up 75.5% of total flows.

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

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