Agricultural drought in Montenegro and Croatia

A severe drought has caused significant agricultural challenges in Montenegro and Croatia. In Montenegro, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management initiated support measures, including fuel excise refunds for producers, to mitigate the impact of reduced forage crop yields. The Ministry requested local governments in four central municipalities to conduct formal damage assessments to determine further assistance options.

As the situation progressed, the crisis intensified. In Montenegro, the Danilovgrad Livestock Breeders Association reported that yields have dropped by as much as 70 percent. Producers have considered uniting various sectors, such as watermelon and tomato growers, to demand emergency measures like improved animal feed distribution and more favorable import models.

In Croatia, agricultural leaders have characterized the recurring droughts and rising temperatures as systemic risks rather than isolated incidents. The Croatian Chamber of Agriculture has called for long-term structural changes in water management and production methods, arguing that financial aid alone is insufficient to address the changing climate.