Barley market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

The barley market in Slovakia expanded significantly from 463 тыс. т in 2018 to 648 тыс. т in 2019. This period saw the implementation of new food labeling regulations under Decree No. 82/2018, which introduced updated requirements for food products containing barley.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains in 2020, reducing the market volume to 611 тыс. т. Subsequent regulatory changes promoting organic farming and bio-labeling continued to shape production conditions in 2021, contributing to a further decline to 512 тыс. т.

Market conditions shifted markedly in 2022. Malt barley became highly profitable, with prices exceeding €200 per ton due to strong European and Chinese demand coupled with adverse weather in North America. The government's inclusion of barley in the list of essential commodities for food security (Decree No. 258/2022) supported domestic production. These factors, alongside indirect effects from state-owned energy companies on input costs, helped lift the market to 536 тыс. т. In 2023, the market saw a slight adjustment to 524 тыс. т.

Production barley in Slovakia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of barley, 2017-2020

World map of production of barley, 2017-2020

Slovakia's barley production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 679.4 K t of barley, marking a 13.3% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 24.6%, which translates to an annualized rate of 7.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 486.9 K t, with the largest decline of 10.7% occurring that same year. In contrast, the largest increase of 23.1% was observed in 2019.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Barley production in Slovakia has risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 121.4 M $ US, showing a slight gain of 0.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 29%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Slovakia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports barley from Slovakia

Exports in kind, K t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Export volumes reached their minimum in 2019 at 73.0 K t and peaked in 2017, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 2.1 times. In 2020, barley shipments from Slovakia abroad were recorded at 134.2 K t, representing a sharp advance of 83.7% compared to the previous year. The largest decline of 35.9% was recorded in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of barley from Slovakia were Poland, accounting for 26.6% of exports in kind, Austria with 16.1%, and Italy at 12.3%. Together, these three countries comprised 55.0% of total exports in kind.

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

After a two-year decrease, barley shipments from Slovakia abroad have increased. In 2020, the export volume registered 23 968 K $ US, equivalent to a sharp advance of 63.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 7.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 14 683 K $ US, with the largest decline of 36.0% occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland led the ranking of buyers with 23.4% of exports in value terms, followed by Austria at 17.3% and Italy at 12.8%. Their combined share reached 53.5% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports barley to Slovakia

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year increase, Slovakia's volume of barley imports has declined. In 2020, the country imported 66.7 K t of barley, representing a 45.3% decline compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 18.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 122.0 K t, with the largest increase of 35.2% occurring that year.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, two leading markets—Czechia and Hungary—together accounted for 88.8% of total imports in kind, while the remaining volume was dispersed across a wide range of other countries.

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

After a two-year increase, Slovakia's volume of barley imports has declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 16 714 K $ US, representing a sharp fall of 41.8% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 4.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 28 704 K $ US, with the largest increase of 34.5% occurring that year.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, two leading markets—Czechia and Hungary—together accounted for 84.8% of total imports in value terms, while the remaining volume was dispersed across a wide range of other countries.

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

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