Animal or vegetable fertilizers market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

The Slovak market for animal or vegetable fertilizers was reshaped by major EU regulatory implementation from mid-2022. The EU Fertilising Products Regulation 2019/1009, enacted nationally via Amendment 242/2022, introduced mandatory CE marking and certification. This shift supported a 66% surge in domestic production to 18 755 tonnes in 2022, while imports halved to 4 723 tonnes as new compliance requirements likely constrained foreign supply. Consequently, despite the production jump, total market volume contracted to 15 115 tonnes that year as a 63% rise in exports to 8 363 tonnes diverted output abroad.

Global supply and price pressures became dominant from 2021 onward. China's export restrictions on fertilizers and rising costs for raw materials like potash and ammonia tightened availability. Further price spikes for key inputs such as natural gas and urea followed geopolitical tensions in the Persian Gulf in 2023. These factors contributed to volatile import volumes, which fell sharply from a 2020 peak of 10 682 tonnes, while robust export levels were sustained as domestic producers responded to higher international prices.

Earlier in the period, the market was influenced by preparatory legislative changes and demand conditions. The foundational Fertiliser Act 136/2000, requiring registration and control, was amended ahead of the EU regulation. Economic recovery in agriculture supported import growth, reaching 9 470 tonnes in 2019. By 2021, market size expanded to 16 376 tonnes, partly driven by increased fertilizer demand linked to higher global grain prices.

Production animal or vegetable fertilizers in Slovakia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Annual dynamics of production in Slovakia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports animal or vegetable fertilizers from Slovakia

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes varied significantly, with the lowest point recorded in 2018 at 1,407 tonnes and the highest in 2020 at 5,257 tonnes, representing a 3.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, animal or vegetable fertilizer exports from Slovakia reached 5,257 tonnes, marking a substantial year-over-year increase of 65.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 67.8%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a rise of 125.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Slovakia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland, Hungary, and Poland formed the core group of markets for exports in kind. Switzerland accounted for 30.9% of exports, Hungary for 24.5%, and Poland for 19.3%. Together, these three countries represented 74.7% of total export flows during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Slovakia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Export values showed significant fluctuations, with the lowest point in 2018 at 1,045 thousand US dollars and the highest in 2020 at 2,016 thousand US dollars, resulting in a 1.9-fold difference. In 2020, foreign animal or vegetable fertilizer supplies from Slovakia totaled 2,016 thousand US dollars, up by 5.4% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, with a drop of 46.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 83.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Slovakia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan remained the principal buyers of animal or vegetable fertilizers from Slovakia in value terms. Switzerland accounted for 30.5% of exports, Ukraine for 13.1%, and Uzbekistan for 11.0%. Collectively, these three countries represented 54.6% of total exports in value terms during this period.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Slovakia in value, 2017-2020

Imports animal or vegetable fertilizers to Slovakia

Imports in kind, t

Slovakia's animal or vegetable fertilizer import volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume totaled 10,682 tonnes, equivalent to a strong increase of 12.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 115.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 29.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Slovakia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Czechia, and Hungary were the principal destinations for imports in kind. Italy accounted for 32.5% of imports, Czechia for 23.5%, and Hungary for 16.3%. Together, these three countries represented 72.2% of total import flows during this period.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Slovakia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, foreign animal or vegetable fertilizer supplies to Slovakia stood at 4,379 thousand US dollars, constituting a rise of 22.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 33.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 4,970 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 27.8%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a rise of 51.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Slovakia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Europe (not elsewhere specified), and Italy were the principal destinations for imports in value terms. Czechia accounted for 34.3% of imports, Europe (not elsewhere specified) for 19.3%, and Italy for 16.5%. Collectively, these three destinations represented 70.2% of total import flows during this period.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Slovakia in value, 2017-2020