Bosnia and Herzegovina's Trade Deficit Expands to 8.54 Billion Marka in First Eight Months of 2025

Trade Deficit Reaches 8.54 Billion Marka

Bosnia and Herzegovina's trade deficit expanded to 8.54 billion marka (approximately $5.1 billion or 4.4 billion euro) during the first eight months of 2025. This figure represents a 1.3% rise compared to the 8.42 billion marka recorded in the same period of the previous year, as reported by the country's statistical office.

Export and Import Dynamics

During the January-August 2025 period, Bosnia and Herzegovina's exports saw an increase of 5.7% year-on-year, reaching a total of 11.13 billion marka. Concurrently, imports into the country also grew, rising by 3.8% to 19.66 billion marka. The statistical office's monthly trade report indicated that in August alone, exports increased by 5.4%, while imports decreased by 1.1% year-on-year.

Key Trading Partners and Economic Context

Croatia emerged as Bosnia and Herzegovina's largest export market during the first eight months of 2025, with goods and services valued at 2.04 billion marka. Germany followed as the second-largest export destination, accounting for 1.6 billion marka. On the import side, Italy was the primary source of goods, totaling 2.27 billion marka, closely followed by Germany with 2.21 billion marka.

Bosnia and Herzegovina operates a developing transitional economy characterized by a structural trade deficit, often supported by remittances from its diaspora. The economy is largely consumption-driven and susceptible to external fluctuations. Economic growth for 2025 is projected at 2.7% by the World Bank, driven by increased private consumption, while the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts a 2.4% growth rate. Inflation is anticipated to rise in 2025, primarily due to increases in food and services prices. Manufacturing constitutes a significant portion of the country's exports, accounting for approximately 90% of the total. The main export categories include machinery and transport equipment, chemical products, and raw materials, while imports are dominated by machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemical products, and food.