Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Earlier Report Observations

The salt market in Bosnia and Herzegovina remained stable from 2018 to 2019, with volumes around 1 020 to 1 030 thousand tons, supported by the dominant state-owned producer Rudnik soli Tuzla. In 2020, market volume dropped sharply to 877 thousand tons due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted economic activity and reduced demand.

Post-pandemic recovery lifted the market to 1 043 thousand tons in 2021, and growth continued to a peak of 1 154 thousand tons by 2023. This expansion coincided with Bosnia and Herzegovina obtaining EU candidate status in 2022, a development that prompted regulatory alignment and likely improved market access. Additionally, shifting consumer preferences toward healthier options like sea salt stimulated demand during this period.

In 2024, market volume declined to 1 044 thousand tons. In value terms, the market contracted from 19.5 million US dollars in 2022 to 13.6 million in 2024, reflecting changes in pricing or sales composition.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Bosnia and Herzegovina

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

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

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of salt, pure NaCl and sea water, 2018-2021

World map of production of salt, pure NaCl and sea water, 2018-2021

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, production of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water reached 1 105 K t in 2021, marking a 16.5% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 3.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 948 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 11.4% during this timeframe.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water from Bosnia and Herzegovina have risen for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country exported 125.1 K t, showing a modest increase of 1.8% over the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports expanded by 21.6%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 6.7%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the primary destinations for Bosnia and Herzegovina's salt, pure NaCl, and sea water exports in volume terms were Serbia, accounting for 34.7% of exports, Slovenia with 26.8%, and Hungary at 9.8%. Together, these three countries represented 71.3% of total exports.

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

Export revenues from salt, pure NaCl, and sea water have also increased for the third consecutive year in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 2021, exports reached 13 789 K US dollars, reflecting a steady gain of 6.3% year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value grew by 22.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Serbia led as the top buyer in value terms, comprising 42.5% of exports, followed by Slovenia at 16.1% and Croatia at 11.1%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 69.7% 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 salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Bosnia and Herzegovina imported 63.6 K t of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water, representing a notable uptick of 22.9% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 span, imports increased by 7.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.5%. The lowest import volume was in 2020 at 51.7 K t, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 81.4 K t. The most significant decline of 36.4% was recorded in 2020, whereas the largest increase of 38.0% took place in 2019.

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

During the 2018-2021 period, Egypt dominated Bosnia and Herzegovina's imports in volume terms, making up 71.1% of the total. The remainder was spread across a diverse range of smaller countries.

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 imports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water in value terms amounted to 5 657 K US dollars, indicating a substantial rise of 22.4% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, import value grew by 13.5%, with an average annual increase of 4.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 4 621 K US dollars, and the maximum in 2019 at 5 731 K US dollars. The most pronounced drop of 19.4% occurred in 2020.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Egypt, Croatia, and Austria were the key sources for Bosnia and Herzegovina's imports in value terms, collectively representing 72.3% 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