Montenegro’s tourism industry relies heavily on imported food during the summer season, despite the country’s agricultural production and its potential to supply a larger share of domestic hospitality demand. The structure of agricultural production creates supply challenges. Farms are generally small and fragmented, production is seasonal, while certification and cold-chain infrastructure remain uneven. Hotels and supermarkets require standardized volumes delivered according to fixed schedules, giving imported products an advantage when supply systems are more dependable.
Across the wider economy, Montenegro imported approximately €8 of goods for every €1 exported during the first ten months of 2025. Sector reporting shows an even larger imbalance in food trade. A stronger connection between agricultural producers and tourism businesses would require changes in the supply chain. Aggregation centres, cooperatives, digital procurement systems and refrigerated logistics could allow farmers to consolidate output and supply hotels and restaurants without requiring individual negotiations with numerous buyers.
The government allocated approximately €77 million to agriculture in 2025, the country’s largest agricultural budget on record. The allocation is expected to translate into measurable improvements in agricultural yields, processing, certification and market access, rather than further fragmentation through subsidies. Products including cheese, cured meats, honey, wine, olive oil, herbs and berries represent categories where origin, landscape and production methods form part of their market value. Without branding and traceability, producers lose part of that value when these products are sold as commodities.
Agricultural production can also become part of the tourism offer. Farm stays, tastings, workshops and active holidays can provide small producers with direct access to higher-margin customers while expanding tourism activity beyond the coast. Agritourism could also provide an additional economic activity for villages in northern Montenegro by connecting agricultural production with tourism demand.
Climate conditions add further challenges for agriculture. Water availability, wildfire risk and changing growing conditions increase the importance of irrigation, insurance and selecting crops capable of adapting to changing conditions. Montenegro is not expected to replace all food imports. The focus is on selected categories where freshness, product identity and proximity provide advantages, while the domestic hospitality industry can provide an important market for local agricultural production.
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