Worrying data on bottled water imports in BiH

(Patria) - In 10 months of this year, bottled water imports increased by 5.8 million liters, while imports of non-alcoholic beverages rose by 13.9 million liters.
The non-alcoholic beverage and water sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina records an increasing deficit year after year, which grew to 121 million KM in the first 10 months of 2024.

At the session of the Committee of the Association of Non-alcoholic Beverage and Water Producers of the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina, held in Kreševo, it was stated that the fact that 13.1 million liters of bottled water and 10.8 million liters of non-alcoholic beverages were exported in the same period compared to the same period last year is encouraging.

However, in the first 10 months of this year, bottled water imports increased by 5.8 million liters, while imports of non-alcoholic beverages rose by 13.9 million liters.

It was highlighted that one of the major problems in this sector is the lack of quality raw materials and their price increase on the world market, as well as high customs duties and levies on fruit concentrates used in the industry, which are not produced in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Also, as in other branches of the economy, this sector is experiencing an outflow and shortage of quality labor, as well as challenges in adapting to new EU directives regarding ESG, packaging, and the green economy, reports Hayat.