Maize market in Slovenia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, Slovenia's maize market volume stood at 403.7 thousand tons, supported by domestic production of 350.5 thousand tons. Maize remains a cornerstone of the country's livestock sector, ensuring steady feed demand, while agricultural cooperatives are central to maintaining supply chain traceability and quality. The market contracted to 296.9 thousand tons in 2019, then rebounded to 341.8 thousand tons in 2020 as production jumped to 429.9 thousand tons.

Beginning in 2021, climate change and more frequent droughts started to substantially reduce maize yields, causing production to fall to 388.8 thousand tons and shrinking the market to 270.4 thousand tons. The following year, the market stabilized at 266.4 thousand tons even as production dropped to 277.8 thousand tons. During this period, urgent legislative proposals were advanced to adapt maize crop rotation rules in response to exceptional grain market conditions and to enhance production security.

A strong recovery occurred in 2023, with market volume reaching 422.3 thousand tons and production climbing to 389.0 thousand tons. The broader operating environment continued to emphasize adaptation to climate risks, a shift towards ecological farming practices, and legislative simplifications for direct sales and tax procedures affecting farmers.

Production maize in Slovenia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Maize production in Slovenia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Slovenia produced 429.9 K t of maize, marking a 19.3% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 57.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 16.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of maize output in Slovenia reached 78 219 K $ US, representing a 3.4% gain over 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 30.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 28.0%, while the largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 1.6%.

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

Exports maize from Slovenia

Exports in kind, K t

Slovenia's maize export volume has risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 298.2 K t, showing a 30.9% year-on-year improvement. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 116.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 29.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy remained the primary destination for Slovenia's maize exports in kind, accounting for 84.7% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller markets.

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

World map of product's exports from Slovenia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Slovenia's maize export value has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 54 267 K $ US, marking a substantial 13.5% rise from the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, export value grew by 78.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.4%.

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

During 2017–2020, the structure of Slovenia's maize exports in value terms was dominated by Italy, which absorbed 85.0% of total flows. A large number of minor partners accounted for the remainder.

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

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

Imports maize to Slovenia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Slovenia's maize imports from abroad amounted to 210.2 K t, showing a 28.0% year-on-year improvement. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 10%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 164.2 K t, while the maximum value occurred in 2018 at 210.8 K t. The largest decline was in 2019 at 22.1%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Croatia and Hungary clearly dominated Slovenia's maize imports in kind, jointly accounting for 86.9% of total flows. Other countries held much smaller shares.

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

World map of product's imports to Slovenia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Slovenia's maize import value amounted to 46 064 K $ US, showing a strong 20.9% advance compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 38 099 K $ US, while the maximum value was in 2018 at 46 958 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 18.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Croatia (36.9% of imports in value terms), Hungary (34.7% of imports in value terms), and Austria (10.6% of imports in value terms) made the biggest contributions to Slovenia's maize imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 82.2% of total flows.

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

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