Dried shelled legumes market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled legumes in Slovakia showed significant volatility between 2018 and 2023. Volume dipped slightly to 39 411 t in 2019 before recovering to 49 785 t in 2020, marking an initial period of growth without dominant reported drivers.

A key expansion occurred from 2021 onward, starting with a rise in domestic production fueled by an increase in the area cultivated for legumes. The market then leaped by over 50% in 2022 to 80 084 t. This surge was primarily triggered by a legislative amendment effective July 2022, which permitted the sale of foodstuffs after their minimum durability date, thereby unlocking new retail opportunities for dried legumes. Concurrent seasonal drought, which lowered soybean yields, presented a supply-side challenge but did not prevent the overall market growth.

In 2023, the market contracted by 18% to 65 517 t. The decline was chiefly due to the prolonged impact of dry weather conditions, which further reduced legume harvests and market availability. During this period, retailers also observed a growing consumer trend toward plant-based alternatives, influencing the product assortment without reversing the supply-driven market contraction.

Production dried shelled legumes in Slovakia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

Slovakia's production of dried shelled legumes has increased for the second year in a row. In 2018, output hit its lowest point at 38 690 tonnes, with the largest decline of 22.5% recorded that year. By 2020, production had risen to 49 130 tonnes, marking a 25.9% increase compared to 2019.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, Slovakia's production value of dried shelled legumes rebounded in 2020. The lowest value was in 2019 at 23 705 thousand US dollars, when the largest drop of 14.5% occurred. In 2020, output reached 30 574 thousand US dollars, up 29.0% from the previous year. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 4.4%, averaging an annual decline of 1.5%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Slovakia

Exports in kind, t

Slovakia's exports of dried shelled legumes have grown for two consecutive years. In 2018, exports fell to their minimum of 5 762 tonnes, with the steepest decline of 41.1% that year. By 2020, exports had climbed to 8 921 tonnes, a 29.8% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 8.9%, with an average annual decline of 3.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top destinations for Slovakia's dried shelled legumes exports by volume were Czechia, Poland, and Hungary. Czechia accounted for 34.7% of exports, Poland for 21.6%, and Hungary for 11.0%. Together, these three countries made up 67.3% 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, K $ US

Slovakia's export value of dried shelled legumes has risen for the second year in a row. In 2018, exports reached their lowest point at 4 129 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 34.2% recorded that year. By 2020, exports had increased to 5 552 thousand US dollars, up 32.9% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 11.5%, averaging an annual decrease of 4.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading buyers of Slovakia's dried shelled legumes by value were Czechia, Romania, and Poland. Czechia represented 41.1% of export value, Romania 20.6%, and Poland 15.1%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 76.8% of total 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 dried shelled legumes to Slovakia

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decrease, Slovakia's imports of dried shelled legumes surged in 2020. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 7 256 tonnes, with the largest decline of 4.7% occurring in 2018. In 2020, imports jumped to 9 577 tonnes, a sharp 32.0% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 24.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources of Slovakia's dried shelled legumes imports by volume were Canada, Ethiopia, and Czechia. Canada supplied 34.8% of imports, Ethiopia 15.2%, and Czechia 14.4%. Together, these three countries represented 64.4% 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

Following a two-year decline, Slovakia's import value of dried shelled legumes rebounded sharply in 2020. The lowest value was in 2019 at 6 607 thousand US dollars, with the largest drop of 19.4% recorded in 2018. In 2020, imports reached 8 911 thousand US dollars, marking a sudden 34.9% increase from 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary sources for Slovakia's dried shelled legumes imports by value were Canada, Ethiopia, and Czechia. Canada accounted for 30.3% of import value, Ethiopia for 13.5%, and Czechia for 12.0%. Together, these three countries made up 55.9% of total import flows.

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

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