Montenegro agriculture faces import competition amid wage hikes

Planned wage increases in Montenegro are raising concerns regarding the competitiveness of domestic agricultural producers. While higher wages may boost consumer purchasing power, there is a risk that increased spending will favor cheaper imported goods rather than local products.

Data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, based on MONSTAT figures, shows that Montenegro imported 1.069 billion euros worth of agricultural products in 2025. In contrast, exports totaled only 106.2 million euros, resulting in an export-to-import coverage of just 9.94 percent. This represents a significant increase in import value compared to 2012, when imports stood at approximately 446.5 million euros.