Mushrooms and truffles market in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the market volume for fresh or chilled mushrooms and truffles in Bosnia and Herzegovina showed notable fluctuations. After a contraction to 758 t in 2019, consumption rebounded to 910 t in 2020 and jumped sharply to over 1 260 t in 2021. This peak was followed by a decline to 1 070 t in 2022 and a further drop to 916 t in 2023.

The market contraction in 2022 was primarily driven by a significant increase in exports, which more than doubled compared to the previous year. This surge in outbound shipments was supported by an exceptionally good mushroom foraging season due to favorable weather conditions, leading to harvests up to ten times larger than in prior years. Simultaneously, rising demand for truffles and mushrooms in foreign markets, particularly in the EU and neighboring countries, encouraged higher export volumes.

During this period, the sector also saw the emergence of new product segments, such as processed truffles under the 'Vuk tartufi' brand, indicating a move toward higher-value offerings. Domestic production gradually expanded from 1 200 t in 2018 to nearly 1 300 t by 2021, contributing to overall supply, though the net effect on domestic availability was offset by export dynamics in later years.

Production mushrooms and truffles in Bosnia and Herzegovina

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of mushrooms and truffles, 2018-2021

World map of production of mushrooms and truffles, 2018-2021

Bosnia and Herzegovina's production of mushrooms and truffles has grown for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 1,298 tonnes, marking a modest increase of 1.5% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 8.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.6%.

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

Exports mushrooms and truffles from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Exports in kind, t

Exports of mushrooms and truffles from Bosnia and Herzegovina have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2021, export volumes reached 130.2 tonnes, representing a significant decline of 66.0% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports dropped by 68.9%, with an average annual decrease of 32.3%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 517.4 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 23.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Slovenia, Italy, and France were the key partners for Bosnia and Herzegovina's mushroom and truffle exports by volume. Slovenia accounted for 30.4% of exports, Italy for 17.3%, and France for 13.6%. Together, these three countries represented 61.3% 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

The value of mushroom and truffle exports from Bosnia and Herzegovina has declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, export value stood at 4,120 thousand US dollars, down by 5.1% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 2.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 5,719 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 42.7%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the largest decline of 24.1%.

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

During the 2018-2021 period, Slovenia, Italy, and France formed the core of Bosnia and Herzegovina's mushroom and truffle exports by value. Slovenia led with 41.6% of exports, followed by Italy at 18.9%, and France at 8.0%. Collectively, these three partners accounted for 68.5% of 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 mushrooms and truffles to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of mushrooms and truffles into Bosnia and Herzegovina have shown irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market. In 2021, imports totaled 96.3 tonnes, a sharp increase of 568.5% year-on-year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 14.4 tonnes, with the largest decline of 59.1% occurring in 2019. Overall, imports varied significantly, with a 6.7-fold difference between the high in 2021 and the low in 2020.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Hungary, Serbia, and Croatia were the main sources for Bosnia and Herzegovina's mushroom and truffle imports by volume. Hungary contributed 31.3% of imports, Serbia 27.8%, and Croatia 20.6%. Together, these three countries made up 79.7% 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 import value of mushrooms and truffles into Bosnia and Herzegovina has followed an unstable trend. In 2021, imports reached 168 thousand US dollars, a sharp rise of 74.8% compared to 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 57 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 70.0%. Over the period, values fluctuated widely, with a 3.3-fold shift from the peak in 2018 to the low in 2019.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Turkey, Hungary, and Serbia were the primary markets for Bosnia and Herzegovina's mushroom and truffle imports by value. Turkey accounted for 25.3% of imports, Hungary for 21.1%, and Serbia for 15.9%. In total, these three countries represented 62.3% of 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