Lettuce and chicory market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market volume for fresh or chilled lettuce and chicory in Slovakia increased from 8.3 thousand tons to 11.3 thousand tons. This growth was supported by the construction of a new deep-frozen food warehouse in the Ilava distribution center in 2020, which expanded cold storage capacity and improved the availability of chilled products, including salads. Concurrently, annual growth in consumer demand for frozen and chilled convenience foods provided a steady tailwind for the market.

Following a slight correction in 2021, the market stabilized at around 10.0–10.4 thousand tons in 2022 and 2023. Key market players helped sustain consumption by launching new product lines aligned with shifting preferences. For example, Ryba Žilina expanded its offering with the Natur! salad line, free from preservatives and artificial additives, capitalizing on the consumer trend toward healthier options. The strong revenue growth of major distributor Hossa Family further indicated robust underlying demand in the chilled food segment during these years.

In value terms, the market grew more sharply, from $15.9 million to $26.4 million between 2018 and 2023. This increase in market value significantly outpaced volume growth, indicating a shift toward higher-value products. This trend was reinforced by industry launches featuring natural ingredients and improved, eco-friendly packaging, which responded directly to consumer preferences for healthier and more sustainable choices.

Production lettuce and chicory in Slovakia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

World map of production of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

Lettuce and chicory production in Slovakia has declined for the third year in a row. In 2019, production stood at 70.0 tonnes, but by 2020 it had dropped to 60.0 tonnes, marking a significant decrease of 14.3%. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 76.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 38.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of lettuce and chicory production in Slovakia has also decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2019, output was valued at 145.7 thousand US dollars, but in 2020 it fell to 119.2 thousand US dollars, representing an 18.2% drop. From 2017 to 2020, production value declined by 79.3%, with an average annual rate of decrease of 40.9%.

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

Exports lettuce and chicory from Slovakia

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, lettuce and chicory exports from Slovakia saw a decline. In 2019, exports reached a peak of 724 tonnes, but in 2020 they fell to 660 tonnes, a modest decrease of 8.9%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 145%, with an average annual growth rate of 34.8%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when exports rose by 69.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Slovakia's lettuce and chicory exports in volume terms were Czechia, Hungary, and Austria. Czechia accounted for 39.9% of exports, Hungary for 38.3%, and Austria for 17.0%. Together, these three countries represented 95.3% 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

Following a two-year upward trend, the value of lettuce and chicory exports from Slovakia decreased. In 2019, exports peaked at 1 507 thousand US dollars, but in 2020 they dropped to 1 311 thousand US dollars, a decline of 13.0%. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 118%, with an average annual increase of 29.7%. The most substantial rise was recorded in 2019, with a 61.3% increase.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Czechia and Hungary were the dominant markets for Slovakia's lettuce and chicory exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 80.2% of total flows. Other countries held much smaller shares in comparison.

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

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

Imports lettuce and chicory to Slovakia

Imports in kind, t

Imports of lettuce and chicory into Slovakia have increased for the third year in a row. In 2019, imports were 10 800 tonnes, and by 2020 they had risen to 11 937 tonnes, a growth of 10.5%. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 65.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the leading sources of lettuce and chicory imports into Slovakia in volume terms were Spain, Italy, and Germany. Spain contributed 29.4% of imports, Italy 16.0%, and Germany 12.2%. Collectively, these three countries made up 57.6% 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

The value of lettuce and chicory imports into Slovakia has also risen for the third consecutive year. In 2019, imports were valued at 20 420 thousand US dollars, increasing to 24 017 thousand US dollars in 2020, a 17.6% rise. From 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 110.1%, with an average annual increase of 28.1%.

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

In the 2017–2020 period, Spain, Italy, and Germany were the primary sources of lettuce and chicory imports into Slovakia in value terms. Spain accounted for 22.7% of imports, Italy for 22.0%, and Germany for 14.1%. Together, these three countries represented 58.7% 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