“Quality” and “competitiveness” were the keywords at a conference last week in Podgorica focused on Montenegro’s meat sector.

Organized by FAO, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and Montenegro’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the event also served as the formal launch for a two-year project designed to boost Montenegro’s agri-food chains.

Meat producers, processing companies, technical experts, government representatives, members of the European Union delegation in Montenegro, and others were among the more than 100 participants. Discussion focused on ways of developing and promoting traditional quality products, the role of smallholders, and food safety and quality standards in the region.