Lime market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, the volume of the lime market in Slovakia experienced notable fluctuations. After a decline to 589 thousand tons in 2019, consumption rebounded and reached a peak of 736 thousand tons in 2021. This was followed by a contraction over the next two years, with the market stabilizing around 653 thousand tons in 2024.

In value terms, the market told a different story. Following a dip to $61.5 million in 2020, the market's worth began a sharp ascent, peaking at $146 million in 2023. This substantial increase, which occurred even as physical volumes retreated from their high, indicates a period of significant price inflation for lime. The market value then moderated to $126 million in 2024.

Production lime in Slovakia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Slovakia's lime production value declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 68 317 thousand US dollars, marking a modest 9.5% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 12.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 84 566 thousand US dollars, which represented an 8.7% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 10.7%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Slovakia's lime production volume fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 724.9 thousand tonnes, reflecting a moderate 3.2% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production declined by 5.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.8%. The peak was reached in 2018 at 771.2 thousand tonnes, which saw a slight 0.7% increase from the year before.

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

Exports lime from Slovakia

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Slovakia's lime export volumes declined. In 2020, exports totaled 175.4 thousand tonnes, showing a significant 15.6% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 5.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 207.8 thousand tonnes, which marked a substantial 16.8% rise from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Hungary, and Poland were the leading destinations for Slovakia's lime exports by volume. Czechia accounted for 35.6% of exports, Hungary for 27.9%, and Poland for 21.5%. Together, these three countries represented 85.0% 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

In 2020, Slovakia's lime exports were valued at 14 361 thousand US dollars, indicating a significant 12.7% reduction from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 16 446 thousand US dollars, which saw a 16.7% increase from the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Hungary, Czechia, and Poland remained the top buyers of Slovak lime by value. Hungary accounted for 27.4% of exports, Czechia for 25.7%, and Poland for 21.6%. Collectively, these three markets made up 74.8% 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 lime to Slovakia

Imports in kind, K t

Slovakia's lime import volume increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 70.5 thousand tonnes, reflecting a sharp 47.2% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 4.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 43.6 thousand tonnes, which represented a 35.6% decrease from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Czechia, and Austria were the main suppliers of lime to Slovakia by volume. Italy accounted for 38.5% of imports, Czechia for 26.4%, and Austria for 17.2%. Together, these three countries supplied 82.0% of total import volume.

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 market showed an unstable trend over the period. Slovakia's lime imports were valued at 7 555 thousand US dollars in 2020, indicating a substantial 79.9% increase from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 679 thousand US dollars, which saw a 40.7% decline from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2020, imports varied by a factor of 2.1, with the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Czechia, Italy, and Austria stood out as the primary sources for Slovakia's lime imports by value. Czechia accounted for 31.4% of imports, Italy for 31.1%, and Austria for 16.6%. Together, these three markets represented 79.1% 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