Montenegro has just over 500 organic producers, with a plan to increase that number to 750 by 2029. The majority of organic producers are beekeepers. Interestingly, as of 2019, organic goat farming has completely ceased in Montenegro, and there is no organic aquaculture production.
These data come from the Strategic Plan for the Development of Organic Agriculture (2025-2029), published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management.
In 2023, the number of registered organic producers in Montenegro reached 514, an increase of 84% compared to 2016. Organic production is present in all 25 Montenegrin municipalities, but 91.63% of organic producers are concentrated in the northern part of the country.
Trends in Organic Farming
- The highest number of organic producers are beekeepers.
- Between 2016 and 2023, growth was recorded in the number of cattle, beehives, and laying hens, while other categories saw a decline.
- Organic goat farming has completely stopped.
- Montenegro lacks organic aquaculture, despite having favorable natural conditions.
The strategy highlights shellfish farming as a potential first organic-certified aquaculture sector in Montenegro.
Montenegro Lags Behind the EU in Organic Land Use
Only 1.6% of Montenegro’s agricultural land is used for organic farming, far below the EU average. However, Montenegro is ahead of other Balkan countries in this regard.
The EU has set a goal to have at least 25% of agricultural land under organic farming by 2030 (about 40 million hectares). As of now:
- 10.5% of agricultural land in the EU is organic.
- Austria leads with 25.7% of its farmland being organic.
Potential for Growth in Organic Production
Montenegro has excellent conditions for producing high-quality organic food. With consistent state support and producer cooperation, the country could become a recognized organic producer in the region.
The strategic plan identifies organic agriculture as a key priority and emphasizes marketing organic products to increase demand.
Challenges in the Organic Market
Despite continuous growth, organic farming in Montenegro remains underdeveloped. Key barriers include:
- Higher prices of organic products limiting accessibility.
- Limited availability in specialized stores and select supermarkets.
- Lack of public awareness and education about organic benefits.
- Underdeveloped organic processing industry.
- No official tracking of organic imports/exports, as Montenegro’s Customs Administration does not distinguish between organic and conventional products.
Additionally, Montenegro’s organic certification body “Monteorganica” is not recognized by the EU, restricting organic exports.
Overcoming Barriers to Organic Export
Factors limiting organic exports include:
- Low overall production volume.
- Lack of standardization.
- Expensive and complex logistics for distribution to distant markets.
- Insufficient marketing knowledge.
Despite these challenges, the organic sector in Montenegro holds significant potential for economic growth, environmental sustainability, climate change mitigation, and public health improvement.
Strategic Goals for Organic Agriculture by 2029
The strategy outlines four main objectives, 15 measures, and numerous actions for implementation. Key goals include:
- Expanding organic production and processing to meet rising consumer demand while protecting natural resources and biodiversity.
- Increasing organic farmland and wild plant collection areas:
- Certified organic farmland to grow to 1,500 hectares.
- Wild medicinal plant and forest fruit collection areas to reach 150,000 hectares.
- Boosting organic livestock farming by 20%.
- Raising average crop yields in organic farming by 20%.
- Expanding domestic organic product availability and ensuring access to necessary inputs and services.
The Strategic Plan for Organic Agriculture Development is a key tool for ensuring planned and sustainable growth of the sector. It aims to:
- Expand organic farmland.
- Improve product quality.
- Develop processing capabilities.
- Strengthen the organic market.
- Raise public awareness.
- Improve institutional and support systems.
With continued investment and policy improvements, Montenegro could position itself as a regional leader in high-quality organic production and exports.
🔗 Source: RTCG