Comparative analysis of agro-food trade in Montenegro and EU candidate countries

Abstract

The aim of the paper was the analysis of the competitiveness and changes in the foreign trade of the Montenegro from 2006-2013. The main contribution of the work was supplemented by the comparison of the Montenegro agro-food trade performance with candidate and potential candidate EU countries. Taking into account the many differences among the analyzed countries we used an unconventional methodical practice based on the calculation of trade balance per one inhabitant. During the analyzed period, only 2 countries exceeded the level of 100% self-sufficiency and permanently reached the positive trade balance with agricultural and food products. As to the 'self-sufficiency level' calculated on the basis of the average trade balance per one inhabitant in 2006-2013 within the candidate and potential candidate EU countries the last position belongs to the Montenegro closely before Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Keywords

• agro-food trade
• foreign trade
• efficiency
• competitiveness