Beer and brewing products market in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Earlier Report Observations

The beer market in Bosnia and Herzegovina saw import volumes grow from 154.7 thousand tons in 2018 to 157.3 thousand tons in 2019, then ease to 151.0 thousand tons in 2020. Throughout this period, consumer demand increasingly diversified toward domestic premium, dark, and craft beers, signaling the expansion of new market segments that helped sustain overall activity.

From 2021, the reported market volume reached 224.4 thousand tons and remained nearly unchanged at 225.0 thousand tons in 2022. This stability coincided with the rising popularity of craft brewing and the entry of the Guinness brand via Molson Coors BH, which broadened the available product range. A noticeable shift in preferences emerged, with non-alcoholic beer production rising by 13.5% in 2022 while alcoholic beer output declined. In 2023, market volume contracted to 217.7 thousand tons, primarily because the Banjalučka brewery boosted its exports by 50%, redirecting supply abroad. Despite the lower volume, market value climbed to $148.8 million, reflecting a move toward higher-value products. A strong production rebound to 76.0 thousand tons in 2024, alongside steady imports, pushed market volume up to 236.4 thousand tons.

Export growth became a distinct trend, with shipments rising from 7.2 thousand tons in 2021 to 15.9 thousand tons in 2024, focused on regional markets such as Serbia, Montenegro, and the EU. This export drive, together with the continued diversification into craft and premium segments, characterized the market's evolution through the period.

Production beer and brewing products in Bosnia and Herzegovina

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Annual dynamics of production in Bosnia and Herzegovina in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Annual dynamics of production in Bosnia and Herzegovina in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports beer and brewing products from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018, while the highest was in 2021, with the peak being 2.3 times greater than the trough. In 2021, Bosnia and Herzegovina exported 7.2 thousand tonnes of beer and brewing products, which represents a 129.3% increase compared to 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2020, at 9.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bosnia and Herzegovina in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Serbia and Croatia together accounted for 80.6% of total exports in kind, with the remaining flows distributed thinly across other markets.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Bosnia and Herzegovina in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Bosnia and Herzegovina's beer and brewing products export value reached 3 183 thousand US dollars, marking a 62.5% increase from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 65.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 18.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020, at 7.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bosnia and Herzegovina in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the main destinations for exports in value terms were Serbia (47.0% of exports), Croatia (30.7% of exports), and Italy (8.3% of exports), collectively representing 86.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Bosnia and Herzegovina in value, 2018-2021

Imports beer and brewing products to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Bosnia and Herzegovina's imports of beer and brewing products from abroad totaled 159.2 thousand tonnes, showing a moderate year-over-year rise of 5.4%. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 2.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020, at 151.0 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 4.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bosnia and Herzegovina in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Serbia and Croatia consistently made up 83.6% of total imports in kind, indicating a high concentration of supply alongside a long tail of smaller markets.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Bosnia and Herzegovina in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, Bosnia and Herzegovina's beer and brewing products imports increased. In 2021, imports stood at 72 722 thousand US dollars, reflecting a solid advance of 16.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 5.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020, at 62 242 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline occurring in 2019, at 13.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bosnia and Herzegovina in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the largest suppliers of beer and brewing products to Bosnia and Herzegovina in value terms were Serbia (38.2% of imports), Croatia (32.7% of imports), and Slovenia (17.8% of imports), together accounting for 88.7% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Bosnia and Herzegovina in value, 2018-2021