Oats market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the Slovak oat market volume generally expanded, rising from 24 933 t to 29 267 t. This growth was initially driven by a shift in consumer preferences towards healthier and natural foods, which boosted demand for oat-based products, coupled with the entry of new players into the agri-commodity market that increased competition and broadened supply. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further altered consumption patterns, elevating interest in durable and healthy staples like oats, while related regulatory measures temporarily affected distribution channels. By 2021, the market recovered its upward trajectory, supported by growing consumer interest in locally and ecologically produced goods and new investments in production capacity that enhanced the availability and quality of oat products.

A sharp reversal occurred in 2022–2023, with the market volume contracting by 48% to 15 207 t in 2022 and falling further to 13 353 t in 2023. This decline took place alongside legislative amendments, including a new law permitting the sale of food past its minimum durability date and stricter environmental packaging rules, which introduced new market conditions. However, these regulatory changes and persistent consumer trends toward healthy eating were insufficient to counterbalance the substantial drop in domestic oat production and a concurrent rise in exports.

Production oats in Slovakia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of oats, 2017-2020

World map of production of oats, 2017-2020

Slovakia's oats production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 33 040 tonnes of oats, marking a moderate year-on-year gain of 3.6%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 5.4%, which translates to an annualized decline of 1.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 29 880 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 14.5%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant increase at 6.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Oats production in Slovakia has risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 8 840 thousand US dollars, reflecting a moderate increase of 7.6% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 10.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 7 802 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 2.4%.

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

Exports oats from Slovakia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes dropped to their lowest point in 2019 and then climbed to a peak in 2020, representing a 1.7-fold increase between these years. In 2020, oats exports from Slovakia amounted to 5 505 tonnes, which is 71.3% higher than in the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 214 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 37.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Slovakia's oats exports in kind were Czechia (20.8% of exports), Germany (20.8%), and Hungary (20.4%). Together, these three countries accounted for 62.0% of total export flows.

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

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values fell to their lowest in 2019 and then rose to a high in 2020, with a 1.8-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Slovakia exported oats worth 1 473 thousand US dollars, representing an abrupt rise of 78.0% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 827 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 37.9%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Germany (24.1% of exports in value terms), Czechia (22.1%), and Hungary (17.7%) were the top buyers of oats from Slovakia. Their combined share reached 63.9% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports oats to Slovakia

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes peaked in 2019 and dropped to their lowest in 2017, with a threefold difference between these years. In 2020, Slovakia's oats import volume registered 309 tonnes, down by 12.7% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 355 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 124.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia (54.2% of imports in kind), Austria (18.1%), and Poland (8.0%) consistently held leading positions in Slovakia's import structure for oats. Together, they accounted for 80.3% of total import flows.

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

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Import values reached their minimum in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 4.9 times. In 2020, Slovakia imported approximately 140 thousand US dollars worth of oats, marking a fall of 28.1% compared with 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 195 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 188.7%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Czechia (46.7% of imports in value terms), Austria (24.7%), and Europe, not elsewhere specified (8.1%) were the top suppliers of oats to Slovakia. Their combined share reached 79.5% of total imports in value terms.

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

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