Maize flour and cereals market in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the maize flour and cereals market in Bosnia and Herzegovina contracted sharply, with market volume falling from 88 477 t to 46 998 t. Domestic production nearly halved from 81 744 t to 42 147 t over this period. A key regulatory shift occurred in 2020 with the adoption of the Regulation on the production of flour and bakery products, which imposed stricter record-keeping and operational rules on millers, likely constraining output.

The market decline continued through 2023, accompanied by a steady reduction in imports. In 2023, monitored prices for grains and oilseeds entered a phase of stagnation or slight decline, reflecting weak underlying demand. The market's structure, heavily reliant on regional trade agreements for grain imports—particularly from Serbia—remained a defining feature, making supply vulnerable to external shocks.

For the later years, factors such as the Federation government's decision to implement price controls on all types of flour and bakery products in 2025, alongside ongoing global supply chain disruptions from the war in Ukraine, represent significant influences on the market environment.

Production maize flour and cereals in Bosnia and Herzegovina

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2018-2021

World map of production of maize flour and cereals, 2018-2021

Maize flour and cereals production in Bosnia and Herzegovina has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 50 152 tonnes, marking a 21.4% year-over-year decrease. From 2018 to 2021, production fell by 38.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -15.0%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

The value of maize flour and cereals production in Bosnia and Herzegovina has also declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, output was valued at 40 193 thousand US dollars, representing a 7.2% decrease compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production value dropped by 36%, with a compound annual growth rate of -13.8%.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, maize flour and cereals exports from Bosnia and Herzegovina declined in 2021. The country exported 226 tonnes, a sharp 26.4% decrease year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports fell by 5.9%, equating to an annualized rate of -2.0%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 307 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 13.3% rise.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Montenegro, Sweden, and the United States were consistently the main destinations for maize flour and cereals exports from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Montenegro accounted for 45.5% of exports in kind, Sweden for 18.1%, and the United States for 8.9%. Together, these three countries represented 72.5% 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

After two years of gains, the value of maize flour and cereals exports from Bosnia and Herzegovina declined in 2021. Exports totaled 181 thousand US dollars, a robust 13.1% decrease compared to the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2020 at 208 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 7.2%.

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

Over the 2018-2021 period, Montenegro, Sweden, and the United States contributed the most to the value of maize flour and cereals exports from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Montenegro accounted for 48.9% of exports in value terms, Sweden for 14.7%, and the United States for 7.2%. Collectively, these three countries made up 70.9% 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 maize flour and cereals to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Imports in kind, t

Maize flour and cereals imports into Bosnia and Herzegovina have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 5 433 tonnes, down by 13.7% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 22.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -8.0%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Serbia, Austria, and Italy remained the primary sources for maize flour and cereals imports into Bosnia and Herzegovina. Serbia accounted for 65.1% of imports in kind, Austria for 13.0%, and Italy for 8.8%. Together, these three countries represented 86.9% 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

The value of maize flour and cereals imports into Bosnia and Herzegovina increased for the second consecutive year in 2021, reaching 2 481 thousand US dollars, a 1.8% rise compared to 2020. However, over the 2018-2021 period, import value decreased by 3.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 321 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 9.3%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2020 with a 5.0% rise.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Serbia, Austria, and Croatia were the principal sources for the value of maize flour and cereals imports into Bosnia and Herzegovina. Serbia accounted for 47.8% of imports in value terms, Austria for 15.5%, and Croatia for 13.5%. Together, these three countries made up 76.8% 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