Nitrogen market in Slovenia

Earlier Report Observations

The nitrogen market in Slovenia, measured in value, declined from 6.4 million USD in 2018 to 4.1 million USD in 2021. This contraction was primarily driven by evolving agricultural and environmental policies. Starting in 2018, general environmental measures began influencing nitrogen fertilizer use. The focus sharpened in 2019 with an emphasis on use efficiency and the initiation of harmonizing Slovenian legislation with EU directives on water protection from nitrates, which curtailed demand. Although the COVID-19 pandemic led to temporary measures in 2020, it did not directly impact the nitrogen market; however, global supply chain disruptions and rising energy prices presented challenges. A slight market recovery to 4.3 million USD that year was temporary. In 2021, the continued impact of the pandemic caused production declines and raw material supply disruptions, while national measures for more efficient nitrogen cycling in agriculture and new limits on fertilizer use under EU rules further pressured the market size downward.

Post-2021, trade flows became highly volatile. Import value surged from 3.7 million USD in 2021 to 6.1 million USD in 2022, while export value rose from 2.4 million to 3.5 million USD. This spike was triggered by global factors, specifically sharp increases in natural gas prices and sanctions against Russia, which disrupted nitrogen fertilizer production worldwide and compelled increased imports. Concurrently, Slovenia implemented measures to reduce water pollution from nitrates in line with the EU Nitrates Directive, affecting fertilizer regulation. In 2023, imports grew further to 6.5 million USD and exports to 4.2 million USD, sustained by the ongoing energy crisis and rising demands for sustainable practices under the EU's Common Agricultural Policy for 2023-2027. By 2024, import value fell to 5.7 million USD and exports dropped to 3.2 million USD, coinciding with anticipated tax regulatory changes and the further development of sustainable practices, including increased use of technologies to optimize nitrogen application in agriculture.

Production nitrogen in Slovenia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In Slovenia, nitrogen production was valued at 3 054 thousand US dollars in 2020, marking a 2.6% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 15.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.4%. The lowest value occurred in 2019 at 2 976 thousand US dollars, while the peak was in 2018 at 4 664 thousand US dollars. The most significant drop was in 2019 at 36.2%, and the largest rise was in 2018 at 29.1%.

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

Exports nitrogen from Slovenia

Exports in kind, K m³

Slovenia's nitrogen export volumes fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 15 733 thousand cubic meters, down 7.2% from the previous year. The highest level was in 2018 at 19 177 thousand cubic meters. The steepest decline was in 2019 at 11.6%, and the biggest increase was in 2018 at 20.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Slovenia in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Croatia, and Hungary were the primary markets for Slovenia's nitrogen exports in volume terms, accounting for 43.3%, 35.0%, and 15.4% of exports, respectively. Together, they made up 93.7% of total export flows.

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 nitrogen export value decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 2 045 thousand US dollars, a 5.1% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 3.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The peak value was in 2018 at 2 398 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019 at 10.2%, and the biggest increase was in 2018 at 21.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Austria, Croatia, and Hungary dominated Slovenia's nitrogen export structure in value terms, with shares of 38.5%, 33.7%, and 18.3%, respectively. Combined, they represented 90.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports nitrogen to Slovenia

Imports in kind, K m³

Slovenia's nitrogen import volumes declined for the third straight year. In 2020, imports totaled 30 911 thousand cubic meters, showing little change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 33.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Slovenia in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Croatia, and Austria were the main sources for Slovenia's nitrogen imports in volume terms, accounting for 41.3%, 35.3%, and 21.5% of imports, respectively. Together, they absorbed 98.1% of total import flows.

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

After two years of decline, Slovenia's nitrogen import value rose in 2020. Imports reached 3 317 thousand US dollars, up 3.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 20.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.3%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 3 213 thousand US dollars, and the largest drop was in 2019 at 22.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Italy, Croatia, and Austria remained the key markets for Slovenia's nitrogen imports in value terms, with shares of 43.7%, 29.8%, and 24.1%, respectively. Jointly, they accounted for 97.6% of total import flows.

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

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