Despite Bosnia and Herzegovina possessing significant agricultural resources, with approximately 2.57 million hectares of agricultural land, of which around 700,000 hectares are arable in the Federation of BiH (FBiH), and around 1 million hectares in Republika Srpska (RS), the country continues to import a substantial amount of food. At local green markets, products such as potatoes, cabbage, tomatoes, onions, and peppers are in high demand, yet many of these are imported. For instance, red onions often originate from Germany, while Egypt supplies potatoes and garlic, and Polish apples are prevalent in the markets of Banja Luka.
Darko Ilic, president of the Association of Vegetable Growers of RS, mentioned that domestic production of baby potatoes would be available in fifteen days, and domestic peppers and tomatoes, cultivated both in greenhouses and outdoors, would soon follow.
Ilic emphasized the capability of domestic agriculture to satisfy local market demands during the season, noting a decrease in imports when local vegetables are available. However, Savo Minic, RS Minister of Agriculture, highlighted the challenges faced by domestic producers due to imported goods, including efforts to combat the import lobby and bureaucratic hurdles that favor imports over local production.
Source: sarajevotimes.com