Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

The Slovak market for bakery products expanded steadily from 61.3 thousand tons in 2018 to 86.8 thousand tons in 2021. This growth was initially fueled by Penam Slovakia's rise to market leadership after acquiring Šarišské pekárne a cukrárne, which brought modern technology for pre-baked and frozen products. Consumer demand shifted towards higher-quality bread and pastries in 2020, and state subsidies with tax reliefs in 2021 helped maintain low prices, supporting overall consumption.

After peaking in 2021, the market volume contracted sharply to 69.5 thousand tons in 2022 and further to 53.6 thousand tons in 2023. This decline coincided with a sustained drop in the consumption of bread and regular pastries in Slovakia, a trend that put pressure on domestic bakers as imported frozen products captured a significant share.

In 2024, new artisan bakeries such as Bloom Bakery and Subo entered the market, emphasizing sourdough and quality innovations. The Ministry of Agriculture implemented clearer labeling rules for fresh, thawed, and baked-off bakery products, increasing transparency. Despite these developments, imports of frozen bakery items continued to account for about 40% of the market, while the underlying trend of falling consumption of traditional bakery goods persisted.

Production bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares in Slovakia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares, 2017-2020

World map of production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares, 2017-2020

Slovakia's production of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 6 K t of these goods, marking a 0.8% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 23.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.2%.

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

Exports bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares from Slovakia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Slovakia exported 40.9 K t of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares, showing a modest decline of 7.4% compared to the year before. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 10.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 40.2 K t. That year also saw the largest drop of 11.6%, while 2019 experienced the biggest increase of 9.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Slovakia's exports of these goods in volume terms were Czechia, accounting for 47.1% of exports, Poland with 32.1%, and Hungary at 11.7%. Together, these three countries made up 90.9% of total export flows.

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, M $ US

In 2020, Slovakia's exports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares reached 121.4 M $ US, down 5.9% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 5.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.8%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 112.2 M $ US, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 129.0 M $ US, which also saw the largest rise of 15.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top buyers of these goods from Slovakia in value terms were Czechia, representing 51.0% of exports, Poland with 25.9%, and Hungary at 8.7%. Their combined share totaled 85.6% of all export value.

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

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

Imports bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and bakers’ wares to Slovakia

Imports in kind, K t

Slovakia's imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 115.6 K t, up 7.4% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 25.2%, with an average annual increase of 7.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the primary sources for Slovakia's imports of these goods in volume terms were Czechia, making up 34.8% of imports, Poland with 27.7%, and Germany at 11.2%. Together, they accounted for 73.7% of total import flows.

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, M $ US

Imports of bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and bakers' wares into Slovakia have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 260.1 M $ US, rising 9.5% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 30.9%, averaging an annual growth rate of 9.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for Slovakia's imports of these goods in value terms were Czechia, accounting for 32.4% of imports, Poland with 23.8%, and Germany at 13.1%. Collectively, they represented 69.3% of total import value.

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

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