Sodium bicarbonate market in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Earlier Report Observations

Bosnia and Herzegovina maintained its role as a significant European exporter of sodium bicarbonate from 2018 onward, with export values rising steadily from $23.8 million in 2018 to $25.9 million in 2020. The country's production capacity remained stable during this period, with no major regulatory changes affecting the market.

From 2021, the market entered a phase of rapid growth. Production value increased from $28.9 million in 2021 to $44.8 million in 2023, while exports surged to $44.2 million in 2023. This expansion was driven by increased European demand and higher prices, compounded by global supply chain disruptions and rising raw material costs in 2022. By 2023, regional soda ash and bicarbonate prices peaked, further inflating the production value. However, in 2024 both production and exports declined to $40.0 million and $40.0 million respectively, leading to a sharp contraction in the domestic market size to $0.4 million.

Through 2025, export values remained elevated above $41 million, highlighting the country's sustained export orientation. The domestic market size, however, diminished significantly after 2022 as production was increasingly directed abroad.

Production sodium bicarbonate 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

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

Exports sodium bicarbonate from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Exports in kind, K t

Bosnia and Herzegovina's sodium bicarbonate exports have grown for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country exported 110.6 K t, showing a steady year-on-year increase of 4.9%. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, exports rose by 8.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 99.7 K t, with the largest decline that year at 1.9%. In contrast, the biggest increase occurred in 2020, when exports jumped by 5.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Italy, Hungary, and Germany were key buyers of sodium bicarbonate from Bosnia and Herzegovina, accounting for 20.1%, 10.6%, and 9.3% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share made up only 40.0% of total exports, with the remaining 60.0% spread across numerous other trading partners.

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

Sodium bicarbonate exports from Bosnia and Herzegovina have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, export value reached 27 439 K $ US, marking a 5.8% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 15.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.9%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the value of sodium bicarbonate exports from Bosnia and Herzegovina was widely distributed among partner countries. Italy, Hungary, and Germany held shares of 19.6%, 11.4%, and 9.2% of exports in value terms, respectively, but together they represented just 40.2% of total export flows.

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 sodium bicarbonate to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Imports in kind, K t

Sodium bicarbonate imports into Bosnia and Herzegovina showed significant fluctuations during the period. In 2021, imports totaled 0.3 K t, down 19.7% from 2020. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.5 K t, which saw the largest increase of 185.2%. The following year, in 2020, imports experienced the steepest decline of 20.2%. Overall, from 2019 to 2018, the difference between peak and trough volumes was 2.9-fold.

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

During 2018-2021, Italy, Serbia, and Germany were the leading suppliers of sodium bicarbonate to Bosnia and Herzegovina in terms of volume. Italy accounted for 23.0% of imports in kind, Serbia for 16.7%, and Germany for 14.9%, together making up 54.6% 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

Sodium bicarbonate imports into Bosnia and Herzegovina have declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports amounted to 381 K $ US, reflecting a moderate decrease of 9.1% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 span, imports increased by 27.6%, which corresponds to an annualized growth rate of 8.5%. The peak import value was in 2019 at 443 K $ US, when the largest increase of 48.2% was recorded.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Italy, Croatia, and Serbia dominated the value of sodium bicarbonate imports into Bosnia and Herzegovina. Italy held 29.7% of imports in value terms, Croatia 21.4%, and Serbia 19.6%, collectively accounting for 70.7% 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