Bosnia and Herzegovina

Potato cultivation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is geographically diverse, with key growing regions including the fertile river valleys of northern Bosnia along the Sava, Bosna, Drina, and Una rivers as well as hilly and mountainous areas such as Butmir (around 500 meters above sea level) and Glamoc (approximately 900 meters a.s.l.), which are known for producing high-quality potatoes due to their cooler climates and well-distributed rainfall.

Southern Herzegovina also contributes to national production. The sector is supported by the Federal Department of Agriculture in Sarajevo, which coordinates varietal trials, seed certification, and extension services. Commonly grown varieties include early Dutch types such as Adora (used as a control in trials), Arizona, Saviola, Attrice, and Antea.

According to FAO statistics, Bosnia and Herzegovina produced approximately 366,354 tonnes of potatoes in 2023.

Potatoes were introduced to Bosnia through Dalmatia, as documented by French consul Pascal‑Thomas Fourcade (1769–1813), and gained prominence in the late 18th and early 19th centuries under agricultural advocates like Senator Dandol in Illyria and Ali Pasha Rizvanbegović in Herzegovina, who promoted their cultivation sometimes through coercive measures to strengthen local food security alongside crops like rice and tobacco. 

From the late 1800s onward, potatoes became firmly integrated into Bosnian agriculture, with farmers across regions adopting tuber cultivation as a staple crop. Following World War I, institutional support began to take shape, notably with the establishment of a collective farm in Bugojno in 1904, which played a key role in seed distribution and organized crop production.

Today, potatoes are a central component of Bosnian cuisine, commonly used in stews, pies, and side dishes, and their cultural and agricultural importance is reflected in events like the Cheese and Potato Day held in Bratač, a village renowned for its traditional farming.