Toilet paper, tissues and towels market in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Earlier Report Observations

The market for toilet paper, tissues, and towels in Bosnia and Herzegovina saw a contraction in physical volume from 32.7 thousand tons in 2018 to 24.3 thousand tons in 2021, before partially recovering to 27 thousand tons in 2023. In value terms, however, the market demonstrated resilience, declining to $47.8 million in 2021 but then rising to $68.5 million in 2023, surpassing the 2018 level of $65.2 million. This suggests a shift toward higher-value products or increased prices over the period.

A key driver of the market structure was the strong expansion of exports, which grew from 16.7 thousand tons in 2018 to 27 thousand tons in 2025, with export value jumping from $26.3 million to $59.3 million over the same span. Meanwhile, imports increased modestly from 10 thousand tons to 12.8 thousand tons. The surge in outward shipments likely diverted production away from domestic consumption, contributing to the lower physical market size within the country.

Domestic production in tonnage terms fell from 39.4 thousand tons in 2018 to 30 thousand tons in 2021, then rebounded to 38.6 thousand tons in 2023 before dipping again in 2024. In monetary terms, production value followed a similar pattern but with a more pronounced upturn after 2021, reaching $94 million in 2023. The overall period was characterized by volatile output and a growing orientation toward export markets.

Production toilet paper, tissues and towels in Bosnia and Herzegovina

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, the output value of toilet paper, tissues, and towels in Bosnia and Herzegovina was $55,324 thousand US dollars, showing virtually no change from 2020. Looking back from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 23.9%, which translates to an annualized decline of 8.7%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

In 2021, Bosnia and Herzegovina produced 30,019 tonnes of toilet paper, tissues, and towels, with negligible year-over-year variation. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 23.8%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -8.7%.

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

Exports toilet paper, tissues and towels from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, foreign supplies of toilet paper, tissues, and towels from Bosnia and Herzegovina increased. In 2021, exports reached 17,098 tonnes, marking an 11.0% advance compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 2.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 15,403 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 6.9%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Croatia, Slovakia, and Slovenia formed the main cluster of markets for Bosnia and Herzegovina's exports in kind. Croatia accounted for 29.2% of exports, Slovakia for 21.9%, and Slovenia for 15.7%, together representing 66.7% 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

Foreign supplies of toilet paper, tissues, and towels from Bosnia and Herzegovina increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled $28,420 thousand US dollars, showing a solid uptick of 14.9% year-over-year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports rose by 8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at $23,697 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 9.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Croatia, Slovakia, and Slovenia remained the principal buyers of toilet paper, tissues, and towels from Bosnia and Herzegovina in value terms. Croatia represented 30.3% of exports, Slovakia 20.0%, and Slovenia 14.0%, jointly accounting for 64.3% 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 toilet paper, tissues and towels to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Imports in kind, t

Foreign supplies of toilet paper, tissues, and towels to Bosnia and Herzegovina increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, import volume amounted to 11,368 tonnes, equivalent to a gain of 7.7% over the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 13.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.4%.

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

Over 2018 to 2021, Serbia, Italy, and Slovenia were the main suppliers of toilet paper, tissues, and towels to Bosnia and Herzegovina in kind. Serbia accounted for 55.0% of imports, Italy for 9.1%, and Slovenia for 8.8%, together comprising 73.0% 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

In 2021, Bosnia and Herzegovina's volume of toilet paper, tissues, and towel imports totaled $20,889 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a solid increase of 10.7% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 10.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 0.5%.

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

Over 2018 to 2021, Serbia, Slovenia, and Italy stood out as the main markets for Bosnia and Herzegovina's imports in value terms. Serbia represented 49.6% of imports, Slovenia 9.8%, and Italy 9.7%, together accounting for 69.2% 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