Garlic market in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Earlier Report Observations

The garlic market in Bosnia and Herzegovina experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023, with volumes peaking at over 6 700 tonnes in 2020 and 2022 before moderating to 6 439 tonnes in 2023. The surge in 2020 was primarily driven by heightened European demand for high-quality Herzegovinian garlic, which boosted both domestic production and market size. Similarly, in 2022, the introduction of EU import quotas on garlic and growing interest in domestic production networks stimulated local cultivation, leading to a market volume of 6 729 tonnes.

Despite these gains, the market contracted sharply in 2021 to 5 772 tonnes as unfavorable weather conditions and high cultivation costs reduced planted areas. Farmers had been adopting yield‑enhancing techniques since 2019, such as biostimulants and precision planters, which helped improve resilience but could not fully offset the 2021 downturn.

Throughout the period, consumer preferences increasingly favored domestic garlic due to growing awareness of safety concerns associated with imported Chinese garlic, which had been treated with banned pesticides. This shift, along with the emergence of value-added products like black garlic in the pharmaceutical industry in 2020, contributed to a more quality-oriented market structure.

Production garlic in Bosnia and Herzegovina

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of garlic, 2018-2021

World map of production of garlic, 2018-2021

In 2021, Bosnia and Herzegovina produced 5 416 tons of garlic, representing a significant year-on-year decrease of 12.4%. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, overall production declined by 8%, which translates to an average annual reduction of 2.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 6 186 tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 9.7%.

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

Exports garlic from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, Bosnia and Herzegovina exported 0.3 tons of garlic, showing no substantial change compared to the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2018 to 2021, exports plummeted by 98.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -75.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Montenegro was the dominant destination for Bosnia and Herzegovina's garlic exports in volume terms, accounting for 96.6% of the 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

In 2021, the value of garlic exports from Bosnia and Herzegovina stood at 1.4 thousand US dollars, remaining stable year-on-year. Between 2018 and 2021, export values fell by 94.4%, with a compound annual decline of 61.7%.

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

During 2018–2021, Montenegro effectively held a monopoly on the value of garlic exports from Bosnia and Herzegovina, capturing 90.8% of the total export value.

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 garlic to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Imports in kind, t

After two consecutive years of growth, Bosnia and Herzegovina's garlic imports declined in 2021, with a total of 356.7 tons imported, marking a sharp decrease of 36.0% from the previous year. Over the 2018–2021 period, imports increased by 45.3%, averaging an annual growth rate of 13.3%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2020 at 557.1 tons, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 55.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China, Egypt, and Albania consistently led as the top sources for Bosnia and Herzegovina's garlic imports by volume. China accounted for 54.1% of imports, Egypt for 17.4%, and Albania for 13.6%, together making up 85.1% of the 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

The garlic import market in Bosnia and Herzegovina showed notable volatility from 2018 to 2021. In 2021, imports totaled 659.7 thousand US dollars, reflecting a strong reduction of 18.0% compared to the previous year. The highest import value was recorded in 2020 at 804.5 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual increase occurring in 2019 at 79.7%. Over this period, the market experienced a 3.1-fold variation between the minimum in 2018 and the maximum in 2020.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, China, Egypt, and Albania were the primary sources for Bosnia and Herzegovina's garlic imports by value. China held a 53.0% share, Egypt 16.2%, and Albania 13.9%, collectively accounting for 83.1% of the total import value.

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