Sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions market in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Earlier Report Observations

The market for sunflower, safflower, and cottonseed oil in Bosnia and Herzegovina expanded from 37 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 43.8 thousand tonnes in 2019. This initial growth was supported by the EU- and UNDP-backed Local Integrated Development (LID) project, which increased interest in non-GMO oilseeds by supporting soybean producers with seeds and market access. Simultaneously, the national GMO law mandating labeling for genetically modified food and feed reinforced demand for non-GMO oils like sunflower.

After a contraction to 35.6 thousand tonnes in 2020, the market recovered to 41.3 thousand tonnes in 2021. The subsequent decline to 37.6 thousand tonnes in 2022 coincided with global supply chain disruptions following the war in Ukraine, which affected sunflower oil availability and prices across Europe, impacting the Bosnian market.

The downward trend continued, with the market size falling to 30.2 thousand tonnes in 2023. Available trade data shows import and export volumes for this oil category rose significantly in 2024 and 2025, indicating sustained market activity beyond the period for which full market size data is reported.

Production sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions in Bosnia and Herzegovina

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions, 2018-2021

World map of production of sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions, 2018-2021

Bosnia and Herzegovina's production of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions has declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 28 100 tons, which represents a gradual decrease of 9.9% compared to 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 15.4%, with an average annual decline of 5.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 39 400 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 18.7%. In contrast, the most significant drop occurred in 2020, with a decline of 20.8%.

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

Exports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Exports in kind, t

Foreign supplies of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions from Bosnia and Herzegovina have decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country exported 27 907 tons, marking a sharp decline of 54.5% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports dropped by 60.7%, with an average annual decrease of 26.8%. The peak export volume was in 2019 at 75 444 tons, which also experienced the largest increase of 6.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the export structure in kind was dominated by Turkey, which accounted for 81.3% of total flows. The remaining exports were distributed among a large number of minor 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

The value of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions exported from Bosnia and Herzegovina has fallen for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports totaled 39 252 thousand US dollars, showing an abrupt drop of 32.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 38.3%, equating to an average annual decline of 14.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 64 355 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 1.2%.

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

During the 2018-2021 period, Turkey was the dominant buyer of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions from Bosnia and Herzegovina in value terms, accounting for 76.6% of total exports. Other countries shared the remaining volume.

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 sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Imports in kind, t

Bosnia and Herzegovina's imports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports were recorded at 41 139 tons, marking a drop of 37.4% over the past year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 45%, with an average annual decline of 18.1%. The maximum import volume was in 2019 at 79 853 tons, which also experienced the largest increase of 6.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Serbia and Hungary were the main suppliers of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions to Bosnia and Herzegovina in kind, with a combined share of 82.6% of total imports. The remainder was fragmented across other 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

Bosnia and Herzegovina's import volume of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 60 092 thousand US dollars, amounting to a slight drop of 0.8% year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 6.1%, equating to an average annual decline of 2.1%.

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

In the 2018-2021 period, Serbia and Hungary remained the key sources for imports in value terms, jointly taking 80.8% of total flows. Other partners were much less significant individually.

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