Advertise
Montenegro's olive oil sector is bracing for a difficult season as the yield of 'Žutica', the nation's most prevalent indigenous olive variety, has seen a sharp decline compared to the previous year. This production slump is expected to significantly impact both market availability and retail prices for the coming cycle.
In the Bar region, a primary hub for olive cultivation, growers report that the harvest could be as much as 50 percent lower than last year's output. Industry experts are concerned that the price of high-quality domestic olive oil could surge to 25 euros per liter by next season. Ćazim Alković, President of the Bar Olive Growers' Association, highlighted the direct correlation between the scarcity of the 'Žutica' variety and the rising costs. He noted that premium oil, produced under strict harvesting and processing standards, is already priced above 20 euros, making the 25-euro mark a likely reality given the current supply-side pressures.
While some oils are available on the market for between 12 and 18 euros, Alković emphasized that these prices reflect variations in fruit quality and production methods. Furthermore, general inflationary trends are compounding the situation, as olive oil prices have remained relatively stagnant while other production costs have climbed. Beyond supply issues, the industry is also grappling with the fraudulent labeling of imported olives. Producers have raised alarms about olives imported from neighboring Albania being marketed as local Bar olives, a practice that undermines the integrity of the domestic brand and deceives consumers. Alković pointed out that local experts can easily distinguish the characteristics of true Bar olives from imported alternatives.
Source: vijesti.me