Bosnia and Herzegovina’s agricultural sector recorded a trade deficit of approximately four billion KM last year, a stark indicator of its ongoing struggles.
Slaviša Ćeranić, director at the Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the sector’s crucial role, alongside metals and wood industries, but lamented its consistent deficit.
With a total trade volume of 6.3 billion KM, imports far outpaced exports, reflecting a concerning 23% export coverage.
The potential remains vast: BiH holds two million hectares of arable land, yet only 20% is in active use, compared to 80% in neighboring Serbia.
Key exports—dairy, bakery, and vegetable oils—fail to balance the growing demand for imported goods, including alcohol, meat, and bakery products.
Ćeranić pointed to the rural exodus, where young people increasingly turn away from agriculture in favor of urban work, despite the potential for a profitable farming career.
The sector faces deep-rooted issues, from low technology adoption to an aging workforce. Without urgent reforms and innovation, Bosnia risks missing out on the agricultural potential that could reduce its vast trade imbalance.
