Milk with fat content of >1% and ≤6% market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for milk with 1–6% fat content in Slovakia reached a volume peak of 190.5 thousand tons in 2020. In the preceding years, high energy costs had already increased production expenses. The 2020 growth coincided with outbreaks of livestock infectious diseases like SLAK, which disrupted regional supply and increased farm prevention costs, and an update to EU Regulation No. 312/2003 on health standards for raw and heat-treated milk, affecting production protocols. These factors contributed to a shift in trade flows, with lower exports helping to raise domestic availability.

A sharp contraction followed in 2021, when the market volume fell by over 18 thousand tons to 172.4 thousand tons. This was primarily driven by a 33% surge in the purchase price for raw cow's milk and the introduction of a transaction tax on the dairy processing industry. These developments significantly raised production costs, leading to higher retail prices and reduced consumption.

The downward trend in volume continued through 2024, falling to 151.4 thousand tons. Elevated energy costs and the implementation of Ministry of Agriculture Decree No. 258/2022, which regulated market access for critical commodities, maintained price pressure in 2022. By 2023, a reported decline in raw milk production, due to a smaller dairy herd and lower productivity, tightened supply. In 2024, an EU-wide milk shortage exacerbated by hot summer weather and strong demand for cheese, coupled with persistent high input costs, further constrained the market.

Production milk with fat content of >1% and ≤6% in Slovakia

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of decline, Slovakia's production of milk with 1-6% fat content has rebounded. In 2020, output reached 124.3 million US dollars, marking a 6.4% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 116.8 million US dollars, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 2.8% decrease.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Slovakia's production of milk with 1-6% fat content has risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 244.7 thousand tonnes, up 2.4% compared to the previous year. The lowest output was in 2018 at 235.2 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 2.2%.

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

Exports milk with fat content of >1% and ≤6% from Slovakia

Exports in kind, K t

Slovakia's exports of milk with 1-6% fat content have fallen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volumes stood at 129.9 thousand tonnes, a 5.6% drop from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 24.9%, translating to an average annual decline of 9.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Hungary, and Italy were the top buyers of Slovakia's milk with 1-6% fat content, accounting for 34.9%, 22.6%, and 21.6% of exports in volume, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 79.1% of total exports.

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 exports of milk with 1-6% fat content have declined for the third year running. In 2020, export value amounted to 60 389 thousand US dollars, down 7.1% from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 30.7%, with an average annual decrease of 11.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Italy, and Hungary formed the core markets for Slovakia's milk exports in value terms, with shares of 33.2%, 25.0%, and 20.2%, respectively. Their combined share reached 78.4% 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 milk with fat content of >1% and ≤6% to Slovakia

Imports in kind, K t

Slovakia's imports of milk with 1-6% fat content have decreased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 75.7 thousand tonnes, a 4.4% decline from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports dropped by 28.5%, with an average annual fall of 10.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia dominated Slovakia's imports of milk with 1-6% fat content in volume, holding an 82.8% share of total flows. The remaining imports were distributed among other trading partners.

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

Slovakia's imports of milk with 1-6% fat content have fallen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value was down 8.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 28.5%, equating to an average annual decline of 10.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Czechia was the primary supplier of milk with 1-6% fat content to Slovakia, accounting for 82.9% of total import value. Other partners contributed relatively small shares.

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

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