Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Montenegro

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the salt market in Montenegro reached 40 812 t, supported by the presence of Solana Ulcinj, a major and successful producer with advanced sea salt production facilities. The market volume contracted sharply to 25 704 t in 2019 following a significant drop in domestic production to 10 000 t. The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused Montenegro's GDP to fall by 15.3% in 2020, further reduced total market volume to 24 158 t that year.

A gradual recovery followed, with the market reaching 26 556 t by 2022. In 2024, Solana Ulcinj secured a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to reconstruct its plant, aiming to increase annual production capacity from 30 000 t to 40 000 t and introduce five salt granulations, while Montenegro continued aligning its regulatory framework with EU legislation, which may indirectly affect the business environment for salt producers.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Montenegro

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of salt, pure NaCl and sea water, 2017-2020

World map of production of salt, pure NaCl and sea water, 2017-2020

In 2020, Montenegro produced 10 K t of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, showing no significant change compared to 2019. Production reached its minimum in 2019 at 10 K t, while the maximum was recorded in 2018 at 26 K t. The largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 5.8% rise, and the largest decline was in 2019 with a 60.8% drop. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 58.5%, which translates to an annualized rate of 25.4%.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Montenegro

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Montenegro's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water rebounded in 2020. The country exported 220 t, marking a sharp increase of 25.3% compared to 2019. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 176 t, with the largest decline that year at 33.8%. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 30.6%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 11.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were the key destinations for Montenegro's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water. North Macedonia accounted for 32.7% of exports in kind, Serbia for 32.6%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for 31.0%. Together, these three countries represented 96.3% 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

Following a two-year drop, Montenegro's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water in value terms increased in 2020. Exports totaled 30 K $ US, indicating a rise of 26.4% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 24 K $ US, with the largest decline that year at 43.9%. Over the period 2017-2020, exports decreased by 29.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia were the main destinations for Montenegro's salt, pure NaCl, and sea water exports in value terms. Serbia accounted for 32.5% of exports, Bosnia and Herzegovina for 31.6%, and North Macedonia for 31.3%. Collectively, these three countries made up 95.4% 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 salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Montenegro

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Montenegro's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water declined in 2020. The country imported approximately 14 378 t, reflecting a moderate reduction of 9.5% from 2019. Imports peaked in 2019 at 15 880 t, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 9.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, Egypt, Albania, and Turkey were the primary sources for Montenegro's imports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water in kind. Together, these three markets accounted for 82.6% of total imports.

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 imports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water in value terms declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. Imports registered 1 413 K $ US, showing a measured decline of 3.7% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 517 K $ US, with the largest increase that year at 23.0%. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 14.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Egypt, and Austria were the largest suppliers of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water to Montenegro in value terms, though they were not dominant. Germany accounted for 16.5% of imports, Egypt for 16.3%, and Austria for 15.2%. Together, these three countries represented 48.0% of total import value, with a diverse range of smaller partners making up the remainder.

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

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