Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the wheat and meslin flour market in Bosnia and Herzegovina remained stable, with annual volumes hovering around 322 000 t to 324 000 t. This period was characterized by strong regional export demand to Turkey, Montenegro, and the EU, which supported domestic milling activity. However, the sector's high dependence on imported wheat for raw material, alongside early efforts to align food-safety standards with EU regulations ahead of accession talks, set the stage for subsequent changes. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 exposed supply-chain vulnerabilities and contributed to lower domestic demand, leading to reduced capacity utilization at existing mills.

A sharp contraction began in 2021, when severe droughts and floods drastically reduced domestic wheat harvests, slashing grain availability for flour mills and causing production to drop to 224 500 t. This supply shock triggered a 55% surge in flour prices due to soaring raw material costs. The market decline continued into 2022, exacerbated by the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, which disrupted regional grain flows and increased import price pressures. Concurrently, high inflation and public debate over bread price caps reflected growing consumer market strain, while accelerated EU harmonization introduced new labeling and traceability rules for cereal products.

From 2023 onward, market volumes showed signs of stabilization after reaching a low. Production fell further to 191 400 t in 2023 before recovering to 211 800 t in 2024, while imports rose steadily to meet domestic needs. A notable shift occurred in external trade, with flour exports surging to 38 500 t in 2024, indicating a renewed competitive presence in regional markets.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals 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

Top producers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2018-2021

World map of production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2018-2021

Bosnia and Herzegovina's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals has declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 224.5 thousand tonnes, which represents a 24.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 22.2%, averaging an annual decline of 8.0%. The peak was reached in 2019 with 300.3 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 4.1%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, Bosnia and Herzegovina exported 17 351 tonnes of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, marking a 38.0% drop from the year before. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 45.3%, with an average annual decline of 18.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2020, when exports rose by 24.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main destinations for Bosnia and Herzegovina's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in volume terms were Turkey, which accounted for 36.8% of exports, Montenegro with 26.0%, and North Macedonia at 19.5%. Together, these three countries made up 82.3% 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

In 2021, the value of wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports from Bosnia and Herzegovina totaled 7 275 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 23.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, export value fell by 26.6%, averaging an annual decline of 9.8%. The largest drop was in 2019, with a 23.5% decrease, while the biggest increase came in 2020, rising by 24.7%.

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

During 2018-2021, the top destinations for Bosnia and Herzegovina's wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports in value terms were Montenegro, which represented 29.2% of export value, Turkey at 28.7%, and North Macedonia with 19.9%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 77.8% 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 wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Bosnia and Herzegovina imported 46 164 tonnes of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, an 11.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports declined by 29.3%, with an average annual decrease of 10.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, falling by 29.1%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2020, rising by 13.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Serbia was the dominant source for Bosnia and Herzegovina's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in volume terms, accounting for 82.2% of total imports. All other countries together made up the remaining share.

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 imported wheat and meslin flour and cereals worth 13 828 thousand US dollars, a slight decrease of 0.8% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, import value fell by 11.6%, averaging an annual decline of 4.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 13 828 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 20.7%. The largest increase was in 2020, with a 12.4% rise.

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

Over the 2018-2021 period, Serbia was the leading source for Bosnia and Herzegovina's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in value terms, accounting for 78.3% of total import value. All other countries together represented the remaining share.

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