Bosnia sees modest foreign trade growth in first half of 2025

According to Ceranic, foreign trade volume stabilised compared to the same period last year, recording an increase of around five percent and reaching approximately 23.6 billion Bosnian marks (approximately €12.07 billion). Imports amounted to about 15 billion marks (approximately €7.67 billion), up 4.5 percent, while exports grew by five percent to 8.6 billion marks (approximately €4.4 billion). The trade deficit exceeded six billion marks (approximately €3.07 billion).

Bosnia and Herzegovina's main trading partners remain Croatia, Serbia, Germany, Italy, and Slovenia. The highest trade volume was recorded with Croatia (4.1 billion marks / approximately €2.09 billion), followed by Serbia (2.7 billion marks / approximately €1.38 billion), Germany (2.6 billion marks / approximately €1.33 billion), Slovenia (1.9 billion marks / approximately €971 million), and Italy (1.8 billion marks / approximately €920 million).

Croatia is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s leading export destination, with exports valued at 1.3 billion marks (approximately €664 million), followed by Germany with 1.28 billion marks (approximately €654 million), and Serbia with around 900 million marks (approximately €460 million). Austria and Slovenia follow, with exports amounting to 800 million marks (approximately €408 million) and 735 million marks (approximately €375 million), respectively.

Ceranic emphasised that 70 percent of BiH’s exports are directed to the EU market. In the first half of the year, imports from the EU reached 9.9 billion marks (approximately €5.06 billion), while exports totalled 6.4 billion marks (approximately €3.27 billion), resulting in a trade volume of 16.3 billion marks (approximately €8.33 billion). BiH recorded trade deficits with nearly all EU countries, with Austria being the only exception, where a slight surplus was noted.

Within the CEFTA region, Serbia leads in trade volume, contributing to a total of around three billion marks(approximately €1.53 billion). Trade with EFTA countries amounted to 534 million marks (approximately €273 million), with exports at 213 million marks (approximately €109 million). Trade with other markets, including China, Turkey, and the United States, accounts for less than 10 percent of BiH’s total trade.