In the first four months of 2011, BH imported food products for almost BAM 430 million, which was by 9.3 per cent bigger amount in comparison with the same period of 2010, a report by the Economic Planning Directorate of BH shows.

Food products account for a considerable share of BH’s imports, but the document does not specify which products were imported the most. The export/import ratio has increased in trade with the most important trade partners – to 69.1 per cent in trade with CEFTA countries and to 66.6 per cent in trade with the EU market.

The biggest surpluses were seen in trade with Montenegro (669.9 per cent), Sweden (111.8 per cent) and Germany (102.8 per cent).

Economists warn that, although BH’s biggest economic potential lies in agriculture and the food industry, this growth in the import of foods products shows how this potential is being used less and less.

They see room for improvements in trade between two entities and the supply of large retail chains, while producers underline that BH is a market open to goods of questionable quality.