Beef and buffalo meat market in Slovenia

Earlier Report Observations

The Slovenian beef and buffalo meat market experienced a significant volume surge to 40 487 t in 2019, largely driven by regulatory changes that allowed meat from bulls under 30 months to be labeled as 'young beef'. This new classification enhanced product positioning and stimulated consumer demand for this category, contributing to higher market volumes.

Following a drop in 2020, the market recovered to 25 216 t in 2021 despite a reported shortage of agricultural labor which constrained production growth. Global factors such as the energy crisis and international uncertainty began affecting input costs, leading to a rise in the market's value to 137.7 million $ US even as volume growth remained modest.

Market volume stabilized around 25 000-27 000 t in 2022-2023, while its value continued climbing to 162.9 million $ US in 2022. The energy crisis and inflation increased production and logistics expenses, compounded by new packaging labeling requirements enforced from January 2022. During this period, retailer initiatives like Spar Slovenia's strengthened cooperation with local farmers and the introduction of 'Directly from the producer' labeling helped sustain demand for domestic beef.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Slovenia

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Slovenia's beef and buffalo meat production value has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 105.4 million US dollars, marking a 1.7% decrease from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 4.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.6%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, Slovenia's beef and buffalo meat production volume turned downward. In 2020, production stood at 20,836 tonnes, showing a sharp 41.7% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 6.4%, averaging a 2.2% annual decline. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 35,740 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 57.0%.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Slovenia

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, beef and buffalo meat exports from Slovenia declined. In 2020, exports reached 6,841 tonnes, down 4.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 25%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.7%. The highest level was in 2019 at 7,145 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 15.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three main markets for Slovenia's beef and buffalo meat exports in volume terms were Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and the Netherlands, collectively accounting for 69.0% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of increase, Slovenia's beef and buffalo meat export value declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 26.743 million US dollars, representing an 8.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 22.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%. The peak was in 2019 at 29.338 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 24.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the principal buyers of Slovenia's beef and buffalo meat in value terms were Croatia, with 31.1% of exports, Italy at 22.8%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina also at 22.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 76.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Slovenia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Slovenia's beef and buffalo meat import volume declined. In 2020, imports totaled 9,802 tonnes, reflecting a 17.6% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 5.7%, with an average annual decline of 1.9%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 11,892 tonnes, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 9.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the top suppliers of beef and buffalo meat to Slovenia in volume terms were Italy, with 38.3% of imports, Poland at 14.9%, and Austria at 13.0%. Their combined share reached 66.2% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Slovenia's beef and buffalo meat import value has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 46.265 million US dollars, down 16.2% from the previous year. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 58.384 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 25.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Austria, and Poland were the main sources of beef and buffalo meat imports to Slovenia in value terms, with shares of 36.5%, 14.1%, and 11.3%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 61.9% of total import value.

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

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