Grape wine market in Serbia

Earlier Report Observations

The Serbian grape wine market volume began at 37 919 thousand liters in 2018, supported by state programs that incentivized winery construction and modernization, and saw the entry of new producers such as women vintners. In 2019, zoning of viticultural regions for better production organization coincided with a market contraction to 32 711 thousand liters. A recovery followed in 2020, lifting the market to 39 121 thousand liters, driven by continued state measures and rising wine tourism that boosted local demand.

Market volume stabilized near 39 312 thousand liters in 2021 amid a new industrial policy strategy emphasizing digitalization and sustainability, along with ongoing state support for capacity upgrades. The following year, volume fell to 36 921 thousand liters as growing exports to China—aided by phased tariff elimination—reduced domestic availability, even while wine tourism promoted indigenous varieties. In 2023, the market declined further to 32 951 thousand liters, despite persistent government backing for the sector.

Preliminary data for 2024 show a sharp drop to 10 905 thousand liters, with reported production at zero, suggesting incomplete annual figures. State support programs for viticulture and winemaking continued during the year.

Production grape wine in Serbia

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of grape wine, 2017-2020

World map of production of grape wine, 2017-2020

Serbia's grape wine production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 27 million liters of grape wine, which represents a 9.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 24.3%, with an average annual decline of 8.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Serbia in kind, 2017-2020, M l

Exports grape wine from Serbia

Exports in kind, K l

After two years of growth, Serbia's grape wine exports declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 10 550 thousand liters, marking a significant 20.5% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 7.3%, with an average annual decline of 2.5%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 13 273 thousand liters, which also saw the largest increase of 15.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Serbia in kind, 2017-2020, K l

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro were the top destinations for Serbia's grape wine exports in volume terms. Russia accounted for 46.7% of exports, Bosnia and Herzegovina for 26.5%, and Montenegro for 11.8%. Together, these three markets made up 85.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Serbia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of increase, Serbia's grape wine exports in value terms declined. In 2020, exports reached 17 778 thousand US dollars, showing a substantial 15.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 4%, with an average annual decline of 1.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 20 904 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 9.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Serbia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro were the three main markets for Serbia's grape wine exports in value terms, collectively accounting for 76.4% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Serbia in value, 2017-2020

Imports grape wine to Serbia

Imports in kind, K l

In 2020, Serbia's grape wine imports reached 22 398 thousand liters, which is 41.8% higher than the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 10.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 15 800 thousand liters, which also experienced the largest decline of 29.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Serbia in kind, 2017-2020, K l

During the 2017-2020 period, North Macedonia and Montenegro were the two leading sources of grape wine imports to Serbia in volume terms, together making up 84.8% of total imports. The remaining volume came from a variety of other countries.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Serbia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Serbia's grape wine imports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 31 574 thousand US dollars, showing minimal change compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 15.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 31 574 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 17.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 1.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Serbia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Italy were the key players in Serbia's grape wine imports in value terms. North Macedonia accounted for 44.5% of imports, Montenegro for 22.3%, and Italy for 10.4%. Together, these three countries represented 77.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Serbia in value, 2017-2020