Balkan producers face rising pressure from imports and labor shortages

Economic challenges regarding domestic production and imports are intensifying across the Balkans. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, officials and businesses are raising alarms over the massive influx of goods from international platforms like Temu, which reached approximately 2.1 million shipments in 2025. Critics note a lack of institutional oversight and data to track the fiscal impact of these imports on local traders.

Simultaneously, Bosnian dairy producers are facing a crisis as purchase prices have dropped as low as 55 to 60 fenings per liter due to rising costs and import pressure. This is compounded by a severe labor shortage, where employers report waiting up to nine months for foreign workers due to administrative delays.

In Croatia, representatives from nine Mediterranean EU countries (EU MED 9) met in Dubrovnik to discuss food security and strategic autonomy. They emphasized the need for stable financing for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the 2028–2034 period. Croatian officials highlighted the importance of supporting local farmers and fishers to ensure national security and prevent the dominance of imported surplus goods on local shelves.