Wood in the rough market in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, Bosnia and Herzegovina, with one of the highest forest cover rates in Europe at around 53%, maintained a high wood in the rough market volume of 3017 K t, supported by growing exports of finished wood products and regional trade agreements within CEFTA.

From 2020 to 2023, the market volume consistently declined, reaching 2543 K t in 2023. This downturn was driven by several factors: in 2022, the government extended a ban on exports of certain forest timber assortments to secure domestic supply, which limited raw material availability, and production and sales of forest assortments decreased compared to the previous year. Additionally, political influences on major wood-processing firms in the Republika Srpska entity and global trade tensions in 2023 posed further challenges to the industry.

Despite the market contraction, foreign direct investment continued to rise in 2020 and 2023, potentially supporting long-term capacity development. By 2025, wood product exports remained a significant revenue source, though the need to shift towards higher value-added products was emphasized.

Production wood in the rough in Bosnia and Herzegovina

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of wood in the rough, 2018-2021

World map of production of wood in the rough, 2018-2021

Bosnia and Herzegovina's production of wood in the rough has declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 2 746 K t, showing a slight year-over-year decrease of 1.8%. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 8.4%, with an average annual decline of 2.9%.

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

Exports wood in the rough from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Exports in kind, K t

Bosnia and Herzegovina's exports of wood in the rough increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country exported 54.7 K t, reflecting a sharp rise of 47.8% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 39.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 27.9 K t, with the largest decline of 28.9% also occurring that year.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Serbia, Slovenia, and Albania were the main destinations for Bosnia and Herzegovina's wood in the rough exports, together accounting for 58.8% of total exports in kind. Serbia led with 29.0%, followed by Slovenia at 15.4%, and Albania at 14.4%.

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 market showed significant volatility during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2021, with a 2.4-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Bosnia and Herzegovina's wood in the rough exports amounted to 12 991 K $ US, marking a sharp increase of 98.2% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 5 446 K $ US, with the largest decline of 18.5% also occurring that year.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China, Serbia, and Slovenia were the primary buyers of wood in the rough from Bosnia and Herzegovina in value terms, together comprising 51.3% of total exports. China accounted for 21.3%, Serbia for 20.8%, and Slovenia for 9.1%.

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 wood in the rough to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import volumes fell to their lowest point in 2018 and hit their maximum in 2019, showing a 2.5-fold variation. In 2021, Bosnia and Herzegovina's wood in the rough imports totaled 104.9 K t, marking a controlled reduction of 9.6% compared with 2020. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 141.4 K t, with the largest decline of 18.0% in 2020 and the largest increase of 145.4% in 2019.

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

In the period from 2018 to 2021, Czechia, Slovenia, and Hungary dominated the structure of imports in kind for wood in the rough to Bosnia and Herzegovina, together representing 83.2% of total flows. Czechia led with 47.0%, followed by Slovenia at 20.2%, and Hungary at 16.0%.

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 signs of volatility over the observed period. Import volumes reached a trough in 2018 and a peak in 2021, with a 2.2-fold amplitude. In 2021, the volume of wood in the rough imports to Bosnia and Herzegovina totaled 17 458 K $ US, equivalent to a notable gain of 20.5% over the past year. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 16.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 114.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Czechia, Slovenia, and Hungary formed the main group of destinations for imports in value terms of wood in the rough to Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a combined share of 81.5% of total flows. Czechia accounted for 45.0%, Slovenia for 22.8%, and Hungary for 13.7%.

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