Dog or cat food for retail sale market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2019, Slovak pet owners increasingly prioritized high-protein, grain-free dog and cat food, a trend that intensified in 2020 with demand for holistic and super-premium formulas containing meat, vitamins, and probiotics. Production innovations like cold-pressed kibble preserved nutrients, while expanded distribution channels, including online sales, improved availability. These shifts supported market volume, which grew to 84.1 thousand tons in 2021 and stabilized around 83 thousand tons in 2022.

Increased competition, notably from domestic producer VAFO with its Brit Care and Carnilove brands, strengthened the market. VAFO's growing domestic presence and export activity boosted local production, contributing to the market's rise in 2021. Consumer preference continued to favor high-meat, specialized diets, shaping the product assortment available in stores.

After remaining stable near 83 thousand tons in 2022 and 2023, the market volume saw significant growth, reaching 88.4 thousand tons in 2024.

Production dog or cat food for retail sale in Slovakia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

Exports dog or cat food for retail sale from Slovakia

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Slovakia's cross-border shipments of dog or cat food for retail sale declined. In 2019, exports reached their peak at 17 345 tons, but by 2020, they had fallen to 12 803 tons, marking a 26.2% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports overall decreased by 13.2%, with an average annual decline of 4.6%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, at 9.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland dominated Slovakia's exports in kind of dog or cat food for retail sale, accounting for 82.1% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller destinations.

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

Following a two-year uptick, Slovakia's foreign supplies of dog or cat food for retail sale in value terms declined. In 2019, exports peaked at 10 204 thousand US dollars, but by 2020, they had dropped to 9 279 thousand US dollars, a 9.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports overall increased by 18.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.8%. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2018, at 29.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Slovakia's exports in value terms of dog or cat food for retail sale were Poland, with 52.7% of exports, Czechia, with 12.3%, and Hungary, with 12.1%. Together, these three countries accounted for 77.2% 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 dog or cat food for retail sale to Slovakia

Imports in kind, t

Slovakia's imports of dog or cat food for retail sale in kind increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 70 780 tons, showing a 1.0% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports overall increased by 21.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the key partners for Slovakia's imports in kind of dog or cat food for retail sale were Czechia, with 33.9% of imports, Poland, with 20.2%, and Hungary, with 19.3%. Collectively, these three countries represented 73.4% 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, K $ US

Slovakia's imports of dog or cat food for retail sale in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 86 271 thousand US dollars, a strong 17.1% increase relative to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports overall increased by 47.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading suppliers of dog or cat food for retail sale to Slovakia in value terms were Czechia, with 33.6% of imports, Poland, with 14.9%, and Germany, with 13.9%. Their combined share accounted for 62.4% of total imports in value terms.

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

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