Onions and shallots market in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh onions and shallots in Bosnia and Herzegovina expanded from 48 484 t in 2018 to 53 540 t in 2020, driven by rising domestic production and steady import volumes. This growth was interrupted in 2021, when the market contracted to 46 078 t, and fell further to 42 249 t in 2022.

The decline in 2022 was accelerated by the Russia-Ukraine war, which disrupted regional trade and supply chains for onions and shallots across Europe. Supply shortages in key producing countries like Spain reduced availability and increased prices, directly limiting market volume in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A partial recovery followed in 2023, with the market rising to 45 847 t as supply conditions eased.

Production onions and shallots in Bosnia and Herzegovina

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2018-2021

World map of production of onions and shallots, 2018-2021

After two consecutive years of growth, Bosnia and Herzegovina's production of onions and shallots declined. In 2021, the country produced 37 154 tonnes, marking a significant 18.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, overall production fell by 2.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 0.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 45 836 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 13.5%.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Exports in kind, t

The export market for onions and shallots showed an unstable trend during this period. In 2019, exports reached their lowest point at 48 tonnes, which represented an 18.2% decline that year. By 2021, exports had surged to 206 tonnes, showing a dramatic 116.2% increase compared to the previous year. The difference between the peak in 2021 and the trough in 2019 was 4.3 times.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Croatia and Montenegro were the dominant destinations for Bosnia and Herzegovina's onion and shallot exports, together accounting for 89.7% of total export volumes. The remaining share went to other markets.

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 onion and shallot export value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 104 thousand US dollars, up by 93.0% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, export value grew by 286.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 56.9%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Montenegro and Croatia were the main buyers of onions and shallots from Bosnia and Herzegovina in value terms, together taking 94.1% of total export value. Other partners accounted for a smaller share.

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 onions and shallots to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Bosnia and Herzegovina imported 9 130 tonnes of onions and shallots, representing a strong 17.1% increase compared to the previous year. However, looking at the full period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 12.8%, which equates to an average annual decline of 4.5%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 7 799 tonnes, which saw the largest annual decline of 33.1%. The highest import volume occurred in 2019 at 11 662 tonnes.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Serbia (25.4% of import volume), the Netherlands (25.1%), and Germany (24.2%) were the largest sources of onion and shallot imports for Bosnia and Herzegovina, together comprising 74.7% 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

In 2021, Bosnia and Herzegovina's onion and shallot import value amounted to 4 272 thousand US dollars, showing a strong 10.4% year-on-year increase. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, import value grew by 18.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.8%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 5 019 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 39.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2020 with a 22.9% decrease.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the Netherlands (55.0% of import value), Germany (13.5%), and Serbia (11.6%) made the biggest contributions to Bosnia and Herzegovina's onion and shallot import value, jointly accounting for 80.0% 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