Agribusiness | Stories 2015

Montenegro

Montenegrin meat sector gets a boost

Domestic meat production in Montenegro has great potential on the local, regional and EU markets, yet it only accounts for 40 per cent of local consumption.

Thanks to support from Luxembourg, in 2015 the EBRD and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations launched a project to upgrade quality standards in Montenegro’s meat sector and promote a regional exchange of knowledge. The project aims to help implement food safety legislation tailored to small-scale producers and to increase their market access.

For example, the development of a Geographical Indication (GIs) status – a type of origin-based quality label – can make the meat products more competitive on the markets. The EBRD and FAO are now cooperating with producers to introduce a GI label for two of Montenegro’s traditional specialities, dried beef and stelja, a dried whole sheep carcass, both recognised as having distinctive qualities.

To learn from the experience of neighbouring countries, the FAO and the EBRD organised a conference in Podgorica where Montenegro’s meat producers could meet other agribusiness companies from the region. FAO also hosts a platform for sharing knowledge of lessons learned – the EastAgri website.

The preservation and promotion of traditional products is an important asset for all stakeholders involved. It creates conditions for growth and differentiation on both domestic and regional markets.