Potato market in Montenegro

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the potato market in Montenegro showed variability, beginning at 36.2 thousand tons. The adoption of the Smart Specialization Strategy 2019-2024 set a course for agricultural development, including the potato sector, providing policy support. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic increased demand for staple foods, contributing to a rise in market volume to 38.1 thousand tons.

Market volume contracted to 33.7 thousand tons in 2021. The following year, the implementation of the Law on Temporary Measures to Limit Prices for Products of Special Importance in May 2022 directly influenced food prices, stimulating domestic production and consumption, which drove a sharp market expansion to 42.4 thousand tons.

By 2023, the market stabilized at 42.8 thousand tons. During this period, the European Commission's proposal to revise market standards for agricultural products began to shape the market environment as Montenegro, an EU candidate, aligns its regulations with EU requirements.

Production potato in Montenegro

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Potato production in Montenegro increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Montenegro produced 29 460 tonnes of potatoes, marking a year-on-year rise of 10.9%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 26 098 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 5.1%.

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

Exports potato from Montenegro

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Montenegro's potato exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at just 1 tonne, followed by a peak in 2019 at 614 tonnes, resulting in a dramatic 983-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, exports stood at 604 tonnes, representing a slight year-on-year reduction of 1.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 99.8%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2019 at 98 179.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and North Macedonia consistently led as the top destinations for Montenegro's potato exports in volume terms. Bosnia and Herzegovina accounted for 38.6% of exports, Serbia for 21.7%, and North Macedonia for 3.7%. Together, these three countries represented 64.1% of total export flows.

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 data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Montenegro's potato exports in value terms hit their lowest point in 2018 at 1 000 US dollars, then surged to a peak in 2020 at 157 000 US dollars, creating a 263-fold gap between these years. In 2020, exports amounted to 157 000 US dollars, reflecting a modest increase of 6.7% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 99.4%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2019 at 24 531.7%.

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

Throughout the 2017–2020 period, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and North Macedonia formed the core group of markets for Montenegro's potato exports in value terms. Bosnia and Herzegovina held 41.3% of export value, Serbia accounted for 21.2%, and North Macedonia represented 2.5%. Collectively, these three markets made up 65.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports potato to Montenegro

Imports in kind, t

Foreign potato supplies to Montenegro declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 9 202 tonnes, showing a gradual drop of 6.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 10.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Serbia, and the Netherlands were the main sources of potato imports to Montenegro in volume terms. France accounted for 32.2% of imports, Serbia for 19.9%, and the Netherlands for 10.6%. Together, these three countries represented 62.8% of total import flows.

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

After two years of growth, potato import volumes to Montenegro declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 3 190 000 US dollars, down by 18.2% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 12.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 900 000 US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 24.9%.

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

In the 2017–2020 period, three principal markets—the Netherlands, France, and Serbia—together accounted for 62.7% of total potato imports to Montenegro 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