Several dairies across the Tuzla Canton have been left without buyers for their milk, pushing local producers to the brink of collapse. While some have managed to secure temporary solutions, a long-term answer remains out of reach, and farmers say they have been completely ignored by authorities.
Suad Kulanić, a milk producer from Gornje Vukovije near Kalesija, has spent more than 20 years in the sector. After losing his job when his former company shut down, he turned to dairy farming as a livelihood. However, more than two months ago, he received a call from the dairy company informing him that milk collection would be suspended — a decision that directly endangered his family’s income.
“We have been managing for two and a half months, trying not to waste what we produce. No dairies will take our milk, no one from the ministry is contacting us, and the support from the association is minimal. I honestly don’t know what to do,” Kulanić said.
In an effort to minimize losses, producers have reduced output and attempted to sell milk independently, often transporting around 200 liters daily to other cities at minimum prices. For now, some relief has come through private buyers, but the situation remains highly uncertain.
Saudin Kulanić, also from Gornje Vukovije, says his family has been forced to cut production significantly.
“We’ve reduced to 150–200 liters a day. We are trying to keep production as low as possible just to survive, not to expand,” he explained.
Farmers warn that these are not small operations, but large family farms with plans for growth and generational continuity. Instead, they now face shutdown.
“Our children are supposed to take over and expand production, but instead we are being forced out of business. For over two months, no one has even asked what will happen to us,” said Suad Kulanić.
According to producers, the root of the crisis lies in excess milk supplies in dairies, combined with what they describe as uncontrolled imports that undermine domestic production. Despite repeated appeals to reduce imports, no concrete measures have been taken.
Eldin Glibanović, president of the Tuzla Canton Milk Producers Association, says the scale of the crisis is alarming.
“About 1,200 families depend on this sector. These are people who contribute to the budget, and I see no moment in which they are not in need of urgent support,” Glibanović stressed.
The Federal association has also warned that the situation could worsen further, especially following announcements of lower purchase prices. Some farmers, speaking anonymously, claim that price cuts have already been implemented this month.
The growing crisis raises serious questions about the commitment of authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to protect domestic agricultural production. Without urgent intervention, farmers warn that closures of dairy farms could soon become widespread, threatening both rural livelihoods and the country’s food security.
