Bosnia and Herzegovina imports nearly 80% of the food it consumes, while domestic agricultural production meets only around 20% of the country’s needs, highlighting the sector’s growing dependence on foreign suppliers.
The challenges are particularly evident during this year’s autumn sowing season, which has become more expensive for farmers across the country. Domestic wheat production, for example, covers only around half of national requirements. Dražen Jović from the Semberija Agricultural Estate in Bijeljina warned that this dependence could become a food security concern, recalling how supermarket shelves were rapidly emptied during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to data from the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the country spent more than BAM 720 million on imports of meat, fruit, vegetables, dairy products and live animals in the first six months of 2026 alone. Meat, fruit and vegetables, milk and eggs accounted for the largest share of these imports. Consumer representatives have also raised concerns about differences in food regulations, including rules governing the permitted storage period for frozen meat.
Agricultural representatives and experts say reducing import dependence requires a comprehensive assessment of domestic production capacities, identifying which food requirements can be met locally and where imports remain necessary. They also point to the need for better conditions that would allow domestic producers to maintain and expand their operations. Economists warn that rising production and import costs are ultimately passed on to consumers, while heavy reliance on foreign supplies leaves the country more vulnerable to international market disruptions.
