FILTERS
LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION
05/02/2018
Livestock production in the total value of agriculture in Bosnia and Herzegovina is about 37%. Compared to countries with more developed agriculture, this share is fairly low and points to the structural problems the sector faces.
According to statistics on the number of livestock states in 2016, the total number of cattle was 455 000, pigs 545 000, sheep 1.016.000 and poultry 20.290.000 pieces. As far as breeding livestock are concerned, the number of cows and heifers is about 276 000, sows and gilt 74 000, yearling and breeding ewes 593 000.
Dairy production is a strategic branch of agriculture and certainly the most important branch of livestock production in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Dairy farming is also the foundation of this sector's development, as between 13,000 and 14,000 of agricultural holdings produce milk for the market, thus generating the existing household income from this production in whole or in part.
Raw milk production in 2016 was 701 million liters, of which about 97% of production is raw cow's milk.
As far as meat production is concerned, the decade-long trend in meat production is characterized by a fall in the production of all categories as well as the imbalance between the level of supply of domestic production and market needs. The reduction in the number of breeding cattle is also due to the decrease in the number of fattening animals.
Net production of meat in 2016 amounted to 85,000 tons and in the structure of total net meat production about 50% of the total production is poultry production, followed by 30% of the production of beef meat, pork meat 15% and sheep meat about 2% and the rest is the meat of other cattle and poultry.
Table egg production is market-oriented and organized in large production units where contemporary manufacturing technology is used in indoor facilities. Egg production is about 700 million annually. In addition, the production capacities of laying hens are about 5 million pieces per annum.
Honey production is one of the most prosperous branches of agriculture in BiH. The number of hives registered in 2016 is 410 000 pieces, of which 3,150 tons of honey was produced. Average honey yield per hive is about 9 kg.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is abundant with high quality water resources and the fisheries and aquaculture sector has significant production potential and includesincludes artisanal and recreational fisheries on marine and inland waters. Inland fisheries are exclusively tied to rivers and lakes. The main types of aquaculture production systems are pond, tank and cage cultures. In addition to fish culture systems, there is also a smaller production of molluscs.