Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

The Slovak market for butter and dairy fats saw initial stability between 2018 and 2019, with volume hovering around 25 000 tonnes annually. During this period, consumer interest was shaped by dietary recommendations emphasizing healthy fats from whole foods, including dairy, and a growing preference for certified organic products made from local milk. These trends helped sustain demand despite concurrent advice to limit saturated fat intake.

Market volume surged to 29 500 tonnes in 2020, primarily driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which heightened consumer focus on health and nutritious foods, boosting demand for quality dairy fats. This expansion was followed by a sharp contraction to 23 400 tonnes in 2021, as changing consumer preferences increasingly favored plant-based butter alternatives. The market pressure continued into 2022, with volume dipping slightly further to 23 100 tonnes amid ongoing public health initiatives to reduce saturated fat consumption and innovations in product formulation.

After reaching 21 300 tonnes in 2023, the market showed a modest recovery to 22 400 tonnes in 2024.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Slovakia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Slovakia's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats production was valued at 59 227 K $ US, marking a 6.0% increase from 2019. The minimum value occurred in 2019 at 55 863 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 23.4%. Overall, production fell by 18.8% between 2018 and 2020, translating to an annualized rate of 6.7%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2017-2020

World map of production of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2017-2020

In 2020, Slovakia produced 13 819 t of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats, up 7.4% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2017 at 12 419 t, with the largest decline of 15.2% in 2019 and the largest increase of 22.2% in 2018. Over the 2018-2020 period, production grew by 11.3%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%.

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

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Slovakia

Exports in kind, t

Slovakia's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 1 229 t, a 65.0% drop from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 4 060 t, which also saw the largest increase of 12.6%. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 65.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 30.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of Slovakia's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in kind were Czechia, Romania, and Hungary, accounting for 61.9%, 13.9%, and 12.3% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries comprised 88.1% 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

Slovakia's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 5 785 K $ US, a 51.0% decrease year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 14 715 K $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 16.1%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 54.4%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 23.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary destinations for Slovakia's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports in value terms were Czechia, Hungary, and Romania, with shares of 50.1%, 20.0%, and 15.0%, respectively. Combined, these three countries accounted for 85.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Slovakia

Imports in kind, t

Slovakia's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 16 921 t, up 5.2% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 14 154 t, which saw the largest decline of 10.2%, while the largest increase of 13.7% occurred in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 7.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Poland, and Czechia were the three principal markets for Slovakia's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports in kind, together accounting for 95.8% of total imports.

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

Slovakia's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports came to 63 691 K $ US, showing little change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 13.9%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 4.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and Poland dominated Slovakia's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 81.8% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among other markets.

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

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