Poultry meat and offal market in Montenegro

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, the market for poultry meat and offal in Montenegro demonstrated significant volatility, heavily influenced by import flows and external shocks. The initial market growth to nearly 11 700 t in 2019 was followed by a sharp contraction to 9 900 t in 2020, a decline largely attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic which disrupted global and regional meat supply chains. This disruption limited import availability and impacted prices. The market rebounded strongly thereafter, reaching almost 15 000 t by 2023, driven by a significant increase in imports from key regional supplier Serbia amid ongoing regional trade dynamics. During this recovery period, highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks led to stricter import and transit prohibitions on poultry consignments, which likely constrained domestic supply and further solidified reliance on compliant import channels.

The market's structural reliance on imports was a defining feature, with exports remaining negligible. Consumer preferences consistently shifted towards fresh, organic, and locally sourced meat products throughout the period, which may have influenced the product mix within the growing total market volume. Concurrently, the regulatory environment for poultry in Montenegro underwent continuous harmonization with EU standards, focusing on veterinary inspections, food safety, and marketing conditions. A significant regulatory development was the implementation of mandatory origin labeling for fresh, chilled, and frozen poultry, aligning with broader EU food safety and labeling frameworks.

Production poultry meat and offal in Montenegro

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

In 2019, Montenegro's poultry meat and offal production peaked at 3 thousand tons. However, in 2020, production contracted sharply by 24.3% compared to the previous year, reaching 3 thousand tons. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 24.3%, with an average annual decrease of 8.9%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 2.8%.

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

Exports poultry meat and offal from Montenegro

Exports in kind, t

Montenegro's poultry meat and offal exports have grown for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports reached 31 tons, representing a dramatic year-over-year increase of 5,694.4%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 19,566.3%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 481.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Norway were the primary destinations for Montenegro's poultry meat and offal exports. Bosnia and Herzegovina accounted for 59.7% of export volumes, Serbia for 17.3%, and Norway for 1.3%. Together, these three countries represented 78.4% 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

Export values showed irregular fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market environment. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 139 times. In 2020, export volumes reached 79 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial increase of 4,261.8% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was observed in 2019 at 25.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia were the main buyers of Montenegrin poultry meat and offal in value terms, together accounting for 80.2% of total export value. The remaining exports were fragmented across various other countries.

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

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

Imports poultry meat and offal to Montenegro

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Montenegro's poultry meat and offal imports declined. In 2019, imports peaked at 8,317 tons, but in 2020, they fell to 7,407 tons, a decrease of 10.9% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.3%. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019 at 11.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Ukraine were the leading sources of poultry meat and offal imports to Montenegro. Serbia contributed 35.6% of import volumes, Bosnia and Herzegovina 18.1%, and Ukraine 14.1%. Collectively, these three countries made up 67.8% 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

Following two years of increase, Montenegro's poultry meat and offal import values dropped. In 2019, imports reached their highest point at 18,018 thousand US dollars, but in 2020, they declined to 14,983 thousand US dollars, a 16.8% decrease compared to the previous year. The largest annual increase was observed in 2018 at 13.3%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Ukraine formed the core of Montenegro's poultry meat and offal imports in value terms. Serbia accounted for 37.4% of import value, Bosnia and Herzegovina for 19.7%, and Ukraine for 16.1%. Together, these three countries represented 73.2% of total import flows.

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

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