Serbia’s high-tech trade increased significantly between 2013 and 2025, according to MAT’s Eurostat-based data. Total high-tech trade rose from €1.243bn in 2013 to €5.538bn in 2025, representing an increase of 345%.
High-tech exports grew at a faster pace, increasing from around €220mn to €1.437bn, a rise of 553%, indicating expansion in Serbia’s export capacity within higher-value industrial segments.
Import Volumes Continue to Outpace Exports
Despite strong export growth, high-tech imports remain substantially higher than exports. In 2025, imports reached €4.100bn, nearly three times the value of exports.
Key import categories include electronics and telecommunications at €1.423bn, pharmaceuticals at €671mn, aerospace at €592.5mn, scientific instruments at €484.7mn, and computers and office machinery at €332.1mn.
Export Structure Shows Sectoral Concentration
High-tech export growth has been uneven across categories. The aerospace and space sector expanded from €10.9mn in 2013 to €441.5mn in 2025, becoming the fastest-growing segment.
Other export categories include electronics and telecommunications at €381.4mn, non-electrical machinery at €226.3mn, scientific instruments at €115.2mn, and electrical machinery at €77.3mn. MAT data also highlight growth in specific product areas such as gas turbine components, electronic integrated circuits, panels, and aircraft engines.
Limited High-Tech Share in Total Exports
Despite growth in absolute terms, Serbia’s high-tech exports remain a small portion of overall exports. The share increased from 2.1% in 2013 to 5.0% in 2024, before declining to 4.6% in 2025.
The decline was partly attributed to a reduction in arms exports, which fell from €96.7mn to €45.1mn over the period.
Trade Imbalance with China Remains Significant
Serbia’s high-tech trade imbalance is particularly pronounced in relations with China. In 2025, high-tech exports to China amounted to only €17mn, while imports reached €1.34bn.
The structure reflects Serbia’s role as a major importer of Chinese telecommunications equipment, computing systems, instruments, and semiconductor-related products, rather than a significant exporter of advanced technology to the Chinese market.
Investment Pipeline and Import Dependency
Projected Chinese investment of €953mn is expected to contribute to future export capacity in sectors including EV components, robotics, and automotive technologies. The investment phase is also expected to increase imports of machinery and intermediate goods, potentially expanding the high-tech import bill before export benefits materialize.
Medium-Term Outlook for High-Tech Trade
The baseline projection anticipates Serbia’s high-tech export share rising toward 5–6% of total exports by 2027, supported by automotive and industrial component investments.
An upside scenario would see faster scaling in EV components, aerospace parts, and electronics production. A downside scenario involves sustained import dependence, with continued expansion of high-tech trade but a persistently wide structural deficit.
Structural Challenge in Industrial Upgrading
While Serbia has developed identifiable export niches in high-tech sectors, overall production capacity remains limited in scale. The central challenge lies in transitioning from isolated areas of export strength toward a broader and more integrated high-tech industrial base capable of reducing the structural trade imbalance.
