Undenatured ethyl alcohol with ABV of ≥80% market in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Earlier Report Observations

The market for undenatured ethyl alcohol in Bosnia and Herzegovina is largely import-dependent, with domestic production remaining modest at around 100 thousand liters annually. A notable rise in demand for ethyl alcohol, reported at over 20% in 2019, supported increased import volumes that year. This was followed by a sharp import surge to 766 thousand liters in 2020, driven by the global COVID-19 pandemic which amplified needs for alcohol-based disinfectants.

After the 2020 peak, import levels normalized and the total market volume stabilized between 450 and 460 thousand liters in 2021 and 2022. A contraction to 424 thousand liters occurred in 2023, but the market rebounded strongly to 528 thousand liters in 2024. This recovery aligns with a broader industry trend within Bosnia and Herzegovina of growing consumer preference for craft and premium spirits, which can elevate the use of pure alcohol as a base material for production.

In value terms, the market followed a similar pattern, declining from 855 thousand USD in 2021 to 750 thousand USD in 2022 before stabilizing and growing to 782 thousand USD by 2024. Domestic production value mirrored physical volume trends, indicating consistent but limited local output throughout the period.

Production undenatured ethyl alcohol with ABV of ≥80% 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, l

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

Exports undenatured ethyl alcohol with ABV of ≥80% from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Exports in kind, K l

In 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina exported 12.1 thousand liters of undenatured ethyl alcohol with an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 80% or higher. This figure remained nearly unchanged compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2020, exports grew by 5.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bosnia and Herzegovina in kind, 2018-2021, K l

From 2018 to 2021, Serbia was the almost exclusive buyer of undenatured ethyl alcohol with an ABV of 80% or higher from Bosnia and Herzegovina, accounting for 100.0% of total exports in volume terms.

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

In 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina's exports of undenatured ethyl alcohol with an ABV of 80% or higher amounted to 9.8 thousand US dollars, showing little change from 2019. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, exports increased by 12.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the export pattern in value terms highlighted a strong reliance on Serbia, which absorbed 100.0% 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 undenatured ethyl alcohol with ABV of ≥80% to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Imports in kind, K l

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Bosnia and Herzegovina imported 358.4 thousand liters of undenatured ethyl alcohol with an ABV of 80% or higher, marking a sharp decline of 53.2% from 2020. The highest volume was recorded in 2020 at 766.5 thousand liters, with the largest increase also occurring in that year at 105.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bosnia and Herzegovina in kind, 2018-2021, K l

From 2018 to 2021, Bulgaria (26.6% of imports in volume terms), Hungary (18.3%), and Croatia (16.8%) consistently served as the main sources for imports, together accounting for 61.6% of total import flows.

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

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import values hit a low in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.5-fold difference between these extremes. In 2021, Bosnia and Herzegovina imported undenatured ethyl alcohol with an ABV of 80% or higher worth an unspecified amount, representing an abrupt fall of 52.4% compared to 2020. The maximum value was recorded in 2020 at 671.3 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase also in 2020 at 144.9%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Bulgaria (26.7% of imports in value terms), Hungary (17.9%), and Croatia (16.4%) formed the primary group of sources for imports of undenatured ethyl alcohol with an ABV of 80% or higher to Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a combined share of 60.9% of total 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