BiH has approximately one million hectares of arable land, with 40 percent under active cultivation. The largest crop is corn followed by wheat, fodder crops, and potatoes. Agriculture contributes roughly five percent to the country’s annual GDP and 10 percent of its total employment. Farms are predominantly small, and the country remains a net food importer. In 2024, agri-food imports totaled $2.8 billion, while exports were $633 million. Primary imported food products include grains and grain products, beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), meat, and dairy.

In 2024, total U.S. agricultural exports to BiH of $18.4 million accounted for less than one percent of BiH’s total agricultural imports and included items such as tree nuts (almonds and pistachios), food preparations, whiskey, and soft drinks. U.S. agricultural imports from BiH of $4.2 million in 2024 included coffee, processed grains, mineral water, soft drinks, fruit and vegetable products, and brandy. Most U.S. origin products are shipped to BiH through neighboring countries and therefore may not appear in official statistics as U.S.-origin goods. Actual U.S. exports are likely much higher than officially reported.

Table: U.S.-BiH Bilateral Agricultural Trade in 2024

Units: $ millions; $1.00=KM1.683
Source: Trade Data Monitor

BiH Agri-Food Sector (million $)

Units: $ millions; $1.00=KM1.800
Source: BiH Agency for Statistics and the World Bank 

Food and Agriculture Import Requirements

BiH has been an EU membership candidate since December 2022 and is aligning its regulations with the EU acquis. It largely follows EU standards and regulations, including those restrictive to U.S products. The Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) signed with the EU eliminated or phased out most agricultural tariffs on EU-origin goods except for select meat, dairy, sugar, fruit, and vegetables products. SAA maintains quotas for sugar, cigarettes, beef, pork, milk, poultry, and potatoes from the EU imported into BiH.

BiH is a member of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) alongside Albania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Kosovo.  

Customs tariffs on agricultural products range from 0 to 15 percent with additional charges on some agricultural products based on weight (KM 0.08-6.00 per kg / $0.05-3.5). Product-specific tariff information can be found at the following link: BiH Customs Tariff Book.

BiH is not yet a member of the World Trade Organization.

Live Animals and Animal Products

Under BiH’s Veterinary Law, imports of foodstuffs, raw materials, animal feed, veterinary medicines, and waste must meet BiH’s requirements and associated establishments must be registered with the EU. The State Veterinary Office (SVO) may approve imports from non-EU establishments if their country’s regulations, standards, production methods, and oversight are deemed equivalent to BiH and provide comparable consumer protection.

Exporting facilities must register once with the SVO before their first shipment. While the SVO has acknowledged U.S. food systems as equivalent or superior, U.S. exports still must comply with BiH’s EU-based regulatory requirements.

Beef and Pork

BiH bans imports of animals and products treated with growth-promoting hormones or beta-agonists.

Poultry

BiH does not permit the use of most Pathogen Reduction Treatments.

Planting Seeds

The National List of Recognized Varieties (BiH Official Gazette #59/10) is available at the Plant Health Administration or online: BiH Variety List (in local language only).  If a variety is not on the list, importers can request its recognition from the State-Level Joint Seeds Recognition Commission. 

Alcohol and Tobacco

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as tobacco products, require an import license from the Indirect Taxation Authority (ITA). These products are subject to specific excise taxes and excise stamps, which are issued and regulated by the ITA. They must be affixed to packaging prior to export to BiH.

Genetically Engineered (GE) Products

Under the 2009 Law on GMOs, BiH permits licensed use of biotech and genetically engineered (GE) products. To date, only GE soybean meal for animal feed has been approved for import. BiH does not grow or develop biotech crops.

BiH’s inspection practices include random GE testing. Foods containing soy, corn, or rice can be tested for GE content. Currently, there is no policy on the import, labeling, and traceability of biotech animals and clones, or animal genetics. However, BiH continues to align its sanitary and phytosanitary regulations with EU standards as part of its EU accession process.

Opportunities

Despite slow economic growth and limited purchasing power, BiH food spending and imports continue to rise. Key U.S. export opportunities include genetics, beef, wine, seafood, confectionary, dried fruits, tree nuts, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

The United States and BiH have established bilateral certificates for certain animal products such as hides, pet food, and fishery products, available at the following link: Animal Products to BiH.

Resources

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) provides information to buyers looking for U.S. agricultural genetics, bulk and processed commodities, food, and beverage products.  FAS also gathers market information and offers market briefs to help U.S. firms better understand the local market.  For more information on the U.S. Foreign Agricultural Service please visit the U.S. Embassy Sarajevo’s FAS website.

For more information on food import requirements and certification, please see:

• Exporter Guide
• Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards (FAIRS) Country Report
• FAIRS Export Certificate Report 

For other FAS reports on specific commodities, please see the following websites:

• Global Agricultural Information Network