Sausages and similar meat products market in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina's sausage market relied heavily on imported raw materials due to insufficient domestic meat production. Exports grew during this period, supported by access to EU and Turkish markets and the high quality standards maintained by local processors.

In 2021, rising consumer preference for organic and certified meat products, with 38% of buyers willing to pay a premium, drove market value higher even as volume increased only moderately. The following year, intensified government controls and new regulations on meat production and sales contributed to a decline in production volumes and a contraction in total market size.

After 2022, market volume stabilized in 2023 before falling sharply in 2024, primarily due to a significant drop in domestic production. Through 2025, export volumes continued their upward trend, indicating sustained international demand, while import levels remained relatively stable.

Production sausages and similar meat products 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, t

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

Exports sausages and similar meat products from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Exports in kind, t

Bosnia and Herzegovina's exports of sausages and similar meat products have grown for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports reached 1 359 tonnes, marking a 13.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports rose by 33.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 998 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 2.0%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2020, with exports jumping by 20.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the primary destinations for Bosnia and Herzegovina's exports in volume terms were Montenegro, accounting for 38.0% of exports, Serbia with 34.5%, and North Macedonia at 26.4%. Together, these three countries made up 98.9% 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 Bosnia and Herzegovina's exports of sausages and similar meat products has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 4 107 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp rise of 31.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, export value grew by 69.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 19.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 230 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 8.2%. The most significant increase happened in 2020, with a surge of 39.9%.

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

During 2018–2021, the main buyers of Bosnia and Herzegovina's sausages and similar meat products in value terms were Serbia, with 34.9% of exports, Montenegro at 33.8%, and North Macedonia with 30.0%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 98.7% 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 sausages and similar meat products to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Imports in kind, t

Imports of foreign sausages and similar meat products into Bosnia and Herzegovina have declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, imports totaled 8 192 tonnes, down by 1.3% year-over-year. From 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 8.7%, translating to an average annual decline of 3.0%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the leading suppliers of sausages and similar meat products to Bosnia and Herzegovina in volume terms were Serbia, with 57.7% of imports, Croatia at 14.8%, and North Macedonia with 13.5%. Together, these three countries represented 86.0% of total import volume.

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 sausages and similar meat products in value terms have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 27 751 thousand US dollars, showing a gain of 2.5% year-over-year. However, over the period from 2018 to 2021, import value decreased by 3.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 1.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 25 784 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest drop of 10.3%. The most notable increase occurred in 2020, with a rise of 5.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the primary sources for Bosnia and Herzegovina's imports in value terms were Serbia, accounting for 54.5% of imports, Croatia with 20.1%, and North Macedonia at 12.4%. Combined, these three markets made up 87.0% 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