Higher production of flour, coffee, and cut tobacco, exports significantly lower than imports

The Federal Government, at its recent session, also reviewed the state of the food industry and the import-export rate of food products in 2013, and as stated, will continue to support this branch of industry, reports Patria.

The capacity utilization rate in the food industry is below 50 percent, with the highest in plants for the production of refreshing non-alcoholic beverages at 59.78 percent, and the lowest in wine production at 13.22 percent.

It is stated that in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, there is still no production of sugar (except packaging), edible vegetable oil, ethyl alcohol, yeast, and malt.

Regarding the production of meat and meat products, it has been at the same level in the last two years. An increase in production in 2013 was recorded for dried pork by 75 percent compared to 2012, followed by the production of chicken meat, pâtés, turkey meat products, and ready meals based on meat.

The total production of milk and milk-based products decreased by seven million kilograms in 2013, but the production of skimmed milk, milk powder, and cheese increased.

There was also an increase in the production of flour and chocolate, and the production of roasted coffee in 2013 increased by 115 percent. For the production of food products from fruits and vegetables, it is not possible to express the exact year-on-year production ratio. The production of cut tobacco has increased enormously, while the production of cigarettes has decreased, reports NAP.

In 2013, a growth in the production of alcoholic beverages of about 2.5 times was recorded, but the production of beer decreased by 21 percent. The production of natural mineral water increased by about 6.7 percent.

The gross salary in the food production sector in 2013 was KM 768, which is three percent less than in 2012.

In beverage production, it was KM 1,305, which is 5.6 percent less than in 2012, and in tobacco product production, it was KM 2,133, which is 18.2 percent more than in 2012.

The import of agricultural and food products into Bosnia and Herzegovina amounted to KM 2,726,049,666.34, of which 60 percent was imports into the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the amount of KM 1,645,821,958.58. At the same time, Bosnia and Herzegovina achieved a total export of agricultural and food products amounting to only eight percent of the total export value, or KM 685,566,656.05.