Oats market in Czechia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Czech oat market experienced significant growth, with domestic consumption rising from 106.7 thousand tonnes to 155.3 thousand tonnes. This expansion was primarily driven by increased interest in oats as both a feed and food product, supported by agricultural legislation such as Decree No. 132/2018 on plant protection products and the broader push for sustainable farming under the Green Deal. The perception of oats as a resilient and versatile crop facilitated this production increase.

The market dynamics shifted from 2021 onward. Although production reached 194.8 thousand tonnes in 2021, bolstered by rising consumer demand for gluten-free oat products and investments from companies like Semix Pluso into new segments such as plant-based yogurts, domestic consumption began to decline. Updated agricultural decrees and control sheets introduced in mid-2022, along with EU regulatory changes concerning medicated animal feed, created a more complex operating environment. These factors, combined with heightened controls on gluten contamination in food labeling, contributed to a reduction in both production and market volume through 2023.

Throughout the period, the development and introduction of new oat varieties, alongside the continued legislative framework for sustainable agriculture, provided a consistent backdrop for the market. The growing food segment for healthy, gluten-free oat-based products remained a key feature of consumer demand, even as total market volume adjusted.

Production oats in Czechia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Czechia ranked as the 27th largest producer of oats between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of oats, 2017-2020

World map of production of oats, 2017-2020

In 2020, Czechia produced 183.4 thousand tons of oats, representing a dramatic 36.4% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 28.7%, which translates to an annualized rate of 8.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 134.4 thousand tons, with the largest decline occurring that year at 12.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the output of oats in Czechia was valued at 50 508 thousand US dollars, reflecting an abrupt 33.4% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 44.1%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 13.0%. The largest decline was observed in 2019 at 4.0%.

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

Exports oats from Czechia

Exports in kind, t

Czechia's volume of oats exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 33 338 tons, which is 19.0% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 17.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.3%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 47 035 tons, with the largest increase that year at 15.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria were the top buyers of oats from Czechia, accounting for 68.4%, 9.1%, and 8.1% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 85.6% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of oats from Czechia declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports registered 9 183 thousand US dollars, a reduction of 20.8% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 8%, equating to an annualized rate of -2.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 12 156 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 21.7%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria continued to lead as the primary buyers of oats from Czechia in value terms, with shares of 64.6%, 9.3%, and 8.1%, respectively. Collectively, they accounted for 82.1% of total exports in value.

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

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

Imports oats to Czechia

Imports in kind, t

Oats imports into Czechia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Czechia imported a total of oats, marking a sharp advance of 207.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 552.2%, which corresponds to an annualized growth rate of 86.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovakia and Germany remained the leading markets for oats imports in kind, together accounting for 87.2% of total import flows, while other partners played a supplementary role.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. From the low in 2018 to the high in 2020, import volumes varied 5.3-fold. In 2020, cross-border shipments of oats into Czechia registered 1 528 thousand US dollars, marking an uptick of 247.0% versus the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 286 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 8.7%.

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

In 2017–2020, Slovakia and Germany formed a dominant pair of markets for oats imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 80.0% of total flows, whereas other countries represented the residual share.

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

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