Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in Slovakia displayed significant volatility between 2018 and 2023. Initially, the market volume stood at 7 665 t in 2018, supported by the crop's growing importance in agriculture and Slovakia's position as a strong exporter of grains, legumes, and oil seeds. The following year, despite record rapeseed harvest areas linked to high demand, the market volume fell to 6 997 t as increased exports offset domestic production gains.

A dramatic expansion occurred in 2020, with the market volume surging to 11 307 t. This growth was primarily driven by a substantial rise in seed imports, as Slovakia lacked domestic oil processors and instead exported more than half of its seed supply, particularly sunflower seeds to neighboring countries. The absence of local refining capacity increased reliance on imported seeds for domestic consumption.

After the 2020 peak, the market contracted to 10 198 t in 2021 and further to 7 354 t in 2022. This decline coincided with legislative changes in energy and agriculture that affected the use of oil seeds for biofuels. A recovery followed in 2023, with the market volume reaching 8 750 t, aided by the entry of new foreign players improving distribution and rising seed prices influenced by global energy costs.

Production oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in Slovakia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, 2017-2020

World map of production of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, 2017-2020

Slovakia's production of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 9 610 tonnes, marking a 27.1% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 239.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 50.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Slovakia's oil seeds and oleaginous fruits production has risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 28 900 thousand US dollars, showing a modest year-over-year increase of 5.2%. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 248.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 51.6%.

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

Exports oil seeds and oleaginous fruits from Slovakia

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Slovakia's exports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits declined in volume. In 2020, exports totaled 3 974 tonnes, down 21.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 5.6%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.8%. The peak was in 2019 at 5 088 tonnes, with the largest year-over-year increase occurring in 2018 at 18.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top buyers of Slovakia's oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in volume terms were Czechia, accounting for 53.1% of exports, Poland with 18.1%, and Hungary at 17.3%. Together, these three countries made up 88.5% 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

Following two years of growth, Slovakia's exports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits fell in value. In 2020, export value reached 11 950 thousand US dollars, a sharp 35.4% drop compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 8.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 18 492 thousand US dollars, and the largest year-over-year increase was in 2018 at 35.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, the leading destinations for Slovakia's oil seeds and oleaginous fruits exports in value terms were Czechia, representing 56.9% of exports, Hungary at 16.9%, and Poland with 15.3%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 89.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports oil seeds and oleaginous fruits to Slovakia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Slovakia's imports of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits amounted to 5 671 tonnes, up 25.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 30.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.2%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, at 6.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovakia's import structure for oil seeds and oleaginous fruits in volume terms was relatively balanced rather than concentrated. Czechia led with 19.0% of imports, followed by Hungary and Europe, not elsewhere specified, each at 8.7%. These three sources together represented 36.5% of total imports, while numerous other countries accounted for the remaining 63.5%.

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 oil seeds and oleaginous fruits have increased for the third consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, imports totaled 19 519 thousand US dollars, rising 22.2% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 67.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.8%.

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

Over 2017-2020, the main suppliers of oil seeds and oleaginous fruits to Slovakia in value terms were Czechia, with 19.2% of imports, Europe, not elsewhere specified at 13.0%, and Hungary with 6.3%. Together, these three accounted for 38.6% of total imports, reflecting a diverse range of smaller partners in the market.

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

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