While the Ministry of Agriculture highlights the issues of fragmented production and the shortage of cooperatives, Montenegrin farmers are expressing frustration over low purchase prices for domestic products and rising imports. Many producers report they have not been able to recover their investments this season, let alone earn a profit.
Zef Dedvukaj, one of the largest watermelon producers from Malesija, is facing significant losses due to the low prices of watermelons. He estimates a loss of at least 11,000 euros, excluding the costs of labor, land and machinery.
Dedvukaj believes that about 70 percent of farmers are in a similar situation. The Ministry of Agriculture claims that most domestic products have been purchased in agreement with traders, but they admit they have been unable to influence prices.
Miroslav Cimabaljević from the Ministry explains that the main issues are the fragmentation of production and the lack of cooperatives, which make it challenging for traders to purchase and increase product prices. The Ministry lacks the legal authority to buy or store products but does offer financial support for establishing cooperatives.
Farmers suggest that organizing storage facilities for surplus products could help alleviate the problem. Dedvukaj proposes that such facilities could help manage excess produce and stabilize market prices.
Without effective solutions, farmers warn that the younger generation might lose interest in agriculture, leading to a further decline in the rural workforce.
Despite being an ecological country with potential for agricultural development, Montenegro’s market, which serves 650,000 residents, increasingly depends on imports rather than local production.
