Maize flour and cereals market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for maize flour and cereals in Slovakia increased from 333.2 thousand tons in 2018 to 364.9 thousand tons by 2020. This growth period coincided with extreme drought in 2019 that reduced domestic grain harvests, influencing flour availability and prices. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 added further volatility, affecting global grain demand and supply chains.

From 2021, the market entered a pronounced contraction, declining to 335.0 thousand tons in 2021 and reaching 130.5 thousand tons by 2023. This downturn was driven by a surge in production costs for fertilizers, fuel, and other inputs, compounded by lower grain harvests across the EU due to drought and heatwaves. Import monitoring and licensing under EU Regulation 478/2015 also limited supply inflows. In 2022, despite reports of sufficient grain stocks, market volume continued to fall as industry attention shifted toward supporting domestic production and optimizing supply chains.

Production maize flour and cereals in Slovakia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Slovakia's production of maize flour and cereals has increased for the second year in a row. In 2018, output hit its lowest point at 290 000 tonnes, marking a 9.4% decline. By 2020, production had risen to 325 800 tonnes, representing a significant 11.0% increase compared to the previous year.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Slovakia

Exports in kind, t

The export market for maize flour and cereals from Slovakia showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2018, exports peaked at 12 891 tonnes, but then fell sharply to a low of 4 300 tonnes in 2019—a 66.6% drop. By 2020, exports rebounded to 11 023 tonnes, which is 156.3% higher than in 2019, though still below the 2018 peak.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Czechia, and Poland were the top buyers of Slovak maize flour and cereals, accounting for 90.4% of total exports in volume. Germany led with 65.1%, followed by Czechia at 13.3% and Poland at 12.0%.

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

Export values for maize flour and cereals from Slovakia followed an uneven pattern. In 2018, they reached a high of 2 425 000 US dollars, but dropped to 1 076 000 US dollars in 2019—a 55.6% decrease. By 2020, values recovered to 2 241 000 US dollars, up 108.2% from the previous year, though still slightly below the 2018 maximum.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Czechia, and Hungary dominated the value of Slovakia's maize flour and cereals exports, together making up 90.5% of the total. Germany accounted for 55.8%, Czechia for 22.1%, and Hungary for 12.6%.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Slovakia

Imports in kind, t

After rising for two years, Slovakia's imports of maize flour and cereals declined in 2020. Imports peaked in 2019 at 66 067 tonnes, following a 44.0% increase in 2018. In 2020, imports fell to 50 180 tonnes, down 24.0% from 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 28.9%, averaging 8.8% per year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia and Poland were the primary sources for Slovakia's maize flour and cereals imports, together supplying 88.8% of the total volume. The remaining imports were distributed among smaller markets.

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 two years of growth, the value of Slovakia's maize flour and cereals imports dropped in 2020. Imports reached a high of 24 766 000 US dollars in 2019, after a 47.5% rise in 2018. In 2020, imports decreased to 17 881 000 US dollars, a 27.8% fall from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, import values increased by 28.7%, equivalent to an annual growth rate of 8.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Czechia and Poland remained the key suppliers of maize flour and cereals to Slovakia in value terms, jointly holding 85.8% of total imports. The rest was spread across various other countries.

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

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