Fresh cheese and curd market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

The Slovak market for fresh cheese and curd expanded from 29 568 t in 2018 to 39 601 t in 2024, influenced by several industry developments. The period began with the implementation of new European dairy legislation setting quality standards for fresh cheeses, coupled with ongoing modernization of production facilities in Slovak dairies. This foundation supported a 13% market volume increase to 33 441 t in 2019, driven by investments in expanding product assortments and growing consumer interest in traditional local cheeses.

Market growth continued in 2021, with volume rising 8% to 35 775 t, primarily due to increased demand for high-protein foods aligned with healthy eating trends and the expansion of online sales channels. The following year saw an 11% contraction to 31 790 t, even as producers continued technological upgrades and broadened their offerings to include new segments like cottage cheese formats, influenced by global healthy lifestyle trends.

A sharp 29% rebound followed in 2023, pushing the market to a peak of 41 000 t. By 2024, volume eased slightly to 39 601 t, remaining well above pre-2023 levels, with the overall market value reaching $154.9 million, supported by the sustained modernization of production and a diversified product range.

Production fresh cheese and curd in Slovakia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Slovakia's fresh cheese and curd production value declined after two years of growth. In 2020, output was valued at 73 804 thousand US dollars, marking a slight decrease of 2.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 10%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 75 509 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 12.3%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Slovakia produced 18 614 tonnes of fresh cheese and curd, down 9.5% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 5.6%, equating to an annualized decline of 1.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 17 183 tonnes, with the largest decline of 12.9% that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the highest volume at 20 572 tonnes and the largest increase of 19.7%.

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

Exports fresh cheese and curd from Slovakia

Exports in kind, t

Slovakia's fresh cheese and curd export volume increased after a two-year decline. In 2020, exports totaled 6 210 tonnes, reflecting a modest rise of 9.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 15.1%, with a compound annual decline of 5.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 683 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 14.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Italy, and Ukraine were the top destinations for Slovakia's fresh cheese and curd exports in volume terms. Czechia accounted for 64.6% of exports, Italy for 11.9%, and Ukraine for 7.8%, together comprising 84.2% 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 fresh cheese and curd export value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 29 061 thousand US dollars, showing a strong rise of 12.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 56.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 16.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Germany, and Ukraine led as the main buyers of Slovakia's fresh cheese and curd in value terms. Czechia accounted for 61.9% of exports, Germany for 11.6%, and Ukraine for 10.0%, jointly representing 83.5% 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 fresh cheese and curd to Slovakia

Imports in kind, t

Foreign fresh cheese and curd supplies to Slovakia increased after a two-year decrease. In 2020, imports totaled 20 828 tonnes, reflecting an improvement of 12.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 4.9%, with a compound annual decline of 1.7%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 18 552 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 15.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Poland, and Germany were the principal sources for Slovakia's fresh cheese and curd imports in volume terms. Czechia accounted for 37.3% of imports, Poland for 20.7%, and Germany for 19.4%, together making up 77.4% 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

Fresh cheese and curd deliveries to Slovakia increased in value for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 58 641 thousand US dollars, up by 13.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 20.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Czechia, Germany, and Poland—together absorbed 76.6% of the total import value of fresh cheese and curd to Slovakia.

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

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