Cucumbers and gherkins market in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the market faced export placement challenges due to a temporary Russian ban on vegetable imports, which complicated sales and required coordination among producers and institutions in Republika Srpska. Despite these constraints, market volume grew slightly to 36 217 t by 2020, supported by contracted cooperative production with local farmers.

After 2020, domestic production fell sharply from 38 108 t to 16 380 t in 2023. This decline was driven by geopolitical risks and the ongoing export ban to Russia, which limited foreign sales, alongside labor shortages in agriculture that hindered cultivation. As a result, market volume contracted to 18 934 t in 2023, with imports rising to partially offset the lower local output.

By 2023, the market had shrunk by 48% from its 2020 peak. The Trade Law of Republika Srpska, regulating retailer obligations and pricing, shaped market conditions, while shifts in consumer behavior and retail digitization influenced distribution channels.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in Bosnia and Herzegovina

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of cucumbers and gherkins, 2018-2021

World map of production of cucumbers and gherkins, 2018-2021

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, cucumber and gherkin production reached 26 859 tonnes in 2021, marking a sharp decline of 29.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 24.3%, with an average annual decrease of 8.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 38 108 tonnes, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 11.0%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of cucumber and gherkin production in Bosnia and Herzegovina declined. In 2021, output was valued at 30 871 thousand US dollars, representing a 30.2% decrease from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production value dropped by 3.6%, corresponding to an average annual decline of 1.2%. The peak value occurred in 2020 at 44 219 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 31.6%.

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

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Exports in kind, t

Cucumber and gherkin exports from Bosnia and Herzegovina grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 7 502 tonnes, showing a 25.9% increase year-on-year. From 2018 to 2021, exports rose by 45.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.2%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Germany (58.3% of exports by volume), Austria (16.3%), and Croatia (10.8%) were the leading destinations for Bosnia and Herzegovina's cucumber and gherkin exports, collectively accounting for 85.4% of total export flows.

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

Cross-border shipments of cucumbers and gherkins from Bosnia and Herzegovina increased for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports reached 8 623 thousand US dollars, reflecting a robust 24.8% growth compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value surged by 84.8%, with an average annual increase of 22.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany (61.3% of exports by value), Austria (16.6%), and Croatia (9.9%) remained the top destinations for Bosnia and Herzegovina's cucumber and gherkin exports in value terms, together making up 87.9% of total export 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 cucumbers and gherkins to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Imports in kind, t

Cucumber and gherkin imports into Bosnia and Herzegovina declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 4 959 tonnes, indicating a modest 5.7% drop from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 15.8%, with an average annual growth of 5.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 959 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 49.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 18.0%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Albania (57.2% of imports by volume), Serbia (21.4%), and Turkey (11.6%) were the main suppliers of cucumbers and gherkins to Bosnia and Herzegovina, together comprising 90.3% of total import volume.

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

Cucumber and gherkin imports into Bosnia and Herzegovina fell for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports were valued at 2 723 thousand US dollars, reflecting a moderate 3.1% decrease from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, import value rose by 12.2%, with an average annual increase of 3.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 2 723 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 46.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 20.7%.

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

During 2018-2021, Albania (47.6% of imports by value), Serbia (29.5%), and Turkey (11.4%) were the primary sources for Bosnia and Herzegovina's cucumber and gherkin imports in value terms, together accounting for 88.6% of total import flows.

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