Salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef market in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Earlier Report Observations

The market for salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef in Bosnia and Herzegovina fluctuated significantly between 2018 and 2024, with volume rising from 1 686 t to a peak of 2 709 t in 2022 before receding to 2 381 t in 2024. Traditional production methods, emphasizing controlled salting, drying, and smoking to achieve specific flavors and textures, remained central and aligned with enduring consumer preferences for artisanal preserved meats.

A contraction to 1 931 t in 2020 interrupted the initial growth to 2 214 t in 2019, but the market recovered to 2 129 t in 2021 and surged strongly the following year. The subsequent decline in 2023 and modest rebound in 2024 occurred against a backdrop of steady domestic demand for traditionally processed beef, which continued to anchor the market.

Trade data from 2022 highlighted that beef constituted a quarter of the country's meat exports, while imports of preserved meats were notable in relation to live animal exports, underscoring the market's linkages to broader meat trade flows. However, domestic production supplied the vast majority of market volume throughout the period.

Production salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef in Bosnia and Herzegovina

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, Bosnia and Herzegovina's production of salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef was valued at 21 649 thousand US dollars, marking a significant increase of 12.8% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 23.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 7.2%. The highest production value was recorded in 2019 at 21 805 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 24.0% also occurring that year. In contrast, 2020 saw the largest decline, with production dropping by 12.0%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Bosnia and Herzegovina ranked as the 17th largest global producer of salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef.

Top producers of salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef, 2018-2021

World map of production of salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef, 2018-2021

In 2021, Bosnia and Herzegovina produced 2 215 tonnes of salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef, representing a year-over-year increase of 10.8%. Between 2018 and 2021, production rose by 22%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.9%. The peak production volume was achieved in 2019 at 2 299 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 26.6%. However, 2020 experienced the most significant decline, with production falling by 13.0%.

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

Exports salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Bosnia and Herzegovina's exports of salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef rebounded in 2021. Exports reached 93.2 tonnes, up by 16.2% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 31.8%, with a compound annual decline rate of 12.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 80.3 tonnes, while the largest drop occurred in 2019 with a 29.5% decrease.

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

From 2018 to 2021, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Montenegro were the primary destinations for Bosnia and Herzegovina's exports of salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef in volume terms. North Macedonia accounted for 39.1% of exports, Serbia for 28.3%, and Montenegro for 27.9%, collectively representing 95.4% 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 decline, Bosnia and Herzegovina's exports of salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef in value terms increased in 2021. The country exported 1 222 thousand US dollars worth of these products, a rise of 28.6% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, export value fell by 8.1%, with a compound annual decline rate of 2.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 950 thousand US dollars, and the largest decrease happened in 2019 with a 25.6% drop.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Montenegro formed the core of Bosnia and Herzegovina's export markets in value terms. North Macedonia held a 40.3% share, Serbia 29.4%, and Montenegro 26.9%, together accounting for 96.5% 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 salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year increase, Bosnia and Herzegovina's imports of salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef in volume terms declined in 2021. Imports stood at 7.4 tonnes, showing a sharp year-over-year decrease of 38.8%. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 5.9%, with an annualized growth rate of 1.9%. The highest import volume was in 2020 at 12.0 tonnes, and the largest annual increase occurred in 2019 with a 63.2% rise.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Montenegro was the main source for Bosnia and Herzegovina's imports of salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef in volume terms, consistently accounting for 93.1% of total imports.

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

Bosnia and Herzegovina's imports of salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef in value terms declined for the second consecutive year in 2021. The country imported 55 thousand US dollars worth of these products, a steep drop of 38.8% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value decreased by 9.7%, with an annualized decline rate of 3.4%. The peak import value was recorded in 2019 at 91 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 49.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Montenegro dominated Bosnia and Herzegovina's import structure in value terms, holding a 90.4% share 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