Bosnia and Herzegovina faces agricultural crisis amid drought and high food imports

Bosnia and Herzegovina is facing a dual crisis in its agricultural sector driven by extreme weather and heavy import dependency. Severe droughts and heatwaves have devastated crops, particularly corn, with some farmers reporting yield losses of up to 90 percent. Experts warn that these shortages could lead to a significant spike in livestock feed costs and food prices, potentially increasing meat prices two to three times higher than current levels.

Data from the Foreign Trade Chamber of BiH reveals a massive trade deficit in the agri-food sector. In the first six months of the year, the country imported agricultural and food products valued at 2.4 billion KM, while exports totaled approximately 579 million KM. Major imports include grains, meat, and beverages, primarily from Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, and Germany. Local producers argue that uncontrolled imports of cheap goods from the EU undermine domestic production and competitiveness.

Separately, the digital delivery market is experiencing growing pains following the exit of Glovo from the country. While the sector continues to grow through local platforms, state institutions lack the statistical framework and specific business codes to accurately track market value, the number of active companies, or the legal status of delivery workers.