Fresh or chilled pork market in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the fresh or chilled pork market in Bosnia and Herzegovina grew from 22 102 t in 2021 to 30 338 t in 2024, with market value rising from 69 690 thousand US dollars to 106 161 thousand US dollars over the same period. This expansion was primarily driven by increasing imports, which surged by around 20% in value terms in 2022 compared to the prior year, directly adding to total market supply.

Domestic production initially increased to 9 407 t in 2022 but declined in the following years. Local producers faced pressure from high import volumes, leading to repeated calls for protective tariffs on imported pork to shield domestic output. Concurrently, issues with the quality of imported meat, including the sale of frozen or aged product as fresh, prompted authorities to pursue mandatory origin labeling for chilled meat to improve consumer information.

Price dynamics played a key role, as pork prices rose due to reduced production in the EU and higher animal feed costs globally. These factors, along with general inflation, influenced consumer affordability and preferences, with buyers increasingly seeking transparency about meat origin and quality.

Production fresh or chilled pork 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 fresh or chilled pork from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Exports in kind, t

Bosnia and Herzegovina's exports of fresh or chilled pork declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, shipments totaled 67 tons, representing a sharp 52.8% drop compared to 2020. Looking at the period from 2019 to 2021, exports fell by 82.3%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 43.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, North Macedonia and Montenegro were the only destinations for Bosnia and Herzegovina's fresh or chilled pork exports in volume terms. North Macedonia accounted for 98.7% of total flows, while Montenegro made up the remaining 1.3%, together representing 100% of exports.

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

Bosnia and Herzegovina's fresh or chilled pork exports in value terms continued to decline for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 152 000 US dollars, reflecting a 58.1% decrease from 2020. Between 2019 and 2021, exports dropped by 84.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -46.6%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, North Macedonia and Montenegro dominated the value-based export structure for Bosnia and Herzegovina's fresh or chilled pork. Together, these two countries accounted for 100% of total export flows during this period.

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 fresh or chilled pork to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Bosnia and Herzegovina's imports of fresh or chilled pork rebounded in 2021. Import volume reached 14 129 tons, showing a significant 28.5% increase compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 14.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 10 998 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 6.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, the Netherlands, and Hungary were the key sources for Bosnia and Herzegovina's fresh or chilled pork imports in volume terms. Germany contributed 36.7% of imports, followed by the Netherlands at 21.5% and Hungary at 18.1%. Together, these three countries represented 76.4% of total import flows.

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

In 2021, Bosnia and Herzegovina's imports of fresh or chilled pork in value terms amounted to 32 559 000 US dollars, marking a notable 14.5% increase from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports rose by 3.6%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 1.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 28 429 000 US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 33 952 000 US dollars. The sharpest decline of 16.3% was also observed in 2020.

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

During the 2018-2021 period, Germany, the Netherlands, and Hungary were the primary markets for Bosnia and Herzegovina's fresh or chilled pork imports in value terms. Germany accounted for 37.5% of imports, the Netherlands for 19.6%, and Hungary for 18.2%. Collectively, these three partners represented 75.3% 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