Potato market in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Earlier Report Observations

The potato market in Bosnia and Herzegovina showed considerable fluctuation from 2018 to 2023. Market volume peaked at 457.3 thousand tons in 2020 but then contracted sharply over the next two years, falling to 303.1 thousand tons in 2022. A slight recovery to 310.7 thousand tons followed in 2023.

Adverse weather, particularly severe drought in 2022, significantly reduced potato yields in key growing regions like Herzegovina. Combined with high production costs, this led to a substantial drop in domestic output, which was the primary driver behind the market's contraction that year. Phytosanitary import bans on some consignments further reflected tighter controls aimed at protecting local production.

Market evolution included the branding and geographical origin protection for 'Glamočki krompir,' which entered the market with labels to strengthen local produce and reduce unfair competition. This initiative aligned with a broader consumer shift toward products with organic, local, and non-GMO attributes, signaling a gradual move toward more value-oriented market segments.

Production potato in Bosnia and Herzegovina

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of potato, 2018-2021

World map of production of potato, 2018-2021

In 2021, Bosnia and Herzegovina produced 339.7 thousand tons of potatoes, marking a 23.0% decrease from the previous year. Production peaked in 2020 at 441.2 thousand tons, which represented the largest annual increase of 15.7%. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, overall production declined by 13.8%, translating to an average annual decrease of 4.8%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Potato production in Bosnia and Herzegovina declined for the second consecutive year in 2021, with output valued at 127.8 million US dollars, down 18.9% from 2020. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 172.9 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 9.8%. From 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 18.8%, averaging a 6.7% annual decline.

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

Exports potato from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Exports in kind, t

Potato exports from Bosnia and Herzegovina fell for the second year in a row in 2021, reaching 3 112 tons, a 2.8% drop from 2020. The highest export volume was in 2019 at 3 270 tons, which experienced the largest annual increase of 40.5%. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 33.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Croatia, Montenegro, and Norway were the primary destinations for Bosnia and Herzegovina's potato exports in volume terms. Croatia accounted for 43.1% of exports, Montenegro for 27.7%, and Norway for 14.1%, together making up 84.8% of total export volumes.

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, Bosnia and Herzegovina's potato exports were valued at 1 171 thousand US dollars, showing a modest increase of 2.5% compared to 2020. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 1 483 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest annual rise of 59.5%, while 2020 recorded the largest decline of 22.9%. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value increased by 26%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.0%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Croatia, Norway, and Montenegro contributed the most to Bosnia and Herzegovina's potato export value. Croatia represented 51.7% of exports, Norway 22.0%, and Montenegro 18.4%, collectively accounting for 92.1% 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 potato to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Imports in kind, t

Potato imports into Bosnia and Herzegovina declined for the third consecutive year in 2021, totaling 16 712 tons, a 13.2% decrease from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports fell by 21.1%, with an average annual reduction of 7.6%.

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

During 2018-2021, the Netherlands, Germany, and Egypt were the leading sources of potato imports into Bosnia and Herzegovina by volume. The Netherlands supplied 38.0% of imports, Germany 19.7%, and Egypt 10.8%, together comprising 68.5% of total import volumes.

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

Potato imports into Bosnia and Herzegovina decreased for the second year in a row in 2021, with a total value of 6 800 thousand US dollars, down 18.8% from the previous year. The highest import value was in 2019 at 10 112 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 40.7%. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value declined by 5.4%, with a compound annual decrease of 1.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands, Germany, and Egypt were the largest suppliers of potatoes to Bosnia and Herzegovina in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 46.8% of imports, Germany for 13.2%, and Egypt for 10.9%, together making up 70.8% of 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