Plums and sloes market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh plums and sloes in Slovakia remained relatively stable from 2018 to 2023, fluctuating between 4 147 t and 4 449 t. Over these years, domestic production more than halved, falling from 2 190 t to 1 190 t. This decline was fully offset by a steady rise in imports, which grew from 2 135 t to 3 214 t, maintaining overall supply.

In 2024, the market continued to be shaped by several key influences. Climate change and reported reductions in fruit harvests exerted pressure on local production and fruit prices. Concurrently, enduring consumer trends toward healthier diets with less sugar and more natural products supported underlying demand for fruit, including plums. New consumer protection and trading rules effective from July 2024 also introduced indirect effects on the food market through updated labeling and sales requirements.

Production plums and sloes in Slovakia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of plums and sloes, 2017-2020

World map of production of plums and sloes, 2017-2020

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. The lowest production volume occurred in 2017, while the highest was recorded in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.2 times. In 2020, Slovakia produced 1 260 tons of plums and sloes, marking a 29.6% contraction compared to the previous year. The maximum value was 2 190 tons in 2018, which also saw the largest increase of 120.5%.

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

Exports plums and sloes from Slovakia

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2020, while the maximum occurred in 2018, showing a 2.6-fold variation between these years. In 2020, plums and sloes deliveries from Slovakia amounted to 69 tons, reflecting an abrupt 48.1% year-on-year decrease. The maximum value was 178 tons in 2018, which also experienced the largest increase of 111.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia and Hungary remained the key partner countries for exports in kind, together accounting for 95.2% of total flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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. The lowest export value was observed in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 4.8 times. In 2020, Slovakia's volume of plums and sloes exports totaled 84 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a 44.8% drop compared to 2019. The maximum value was 151 thousand US dollars in 2019, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 375.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Czechia and Hungary continued to lead the list of markets for exports in value terms, together accounting for 91.3% of total flows, with other partners playing a supplementary role.

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

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

Imports plums and sloes to Slovakia

Imports in kind, t

Plums and sloes shipments to Slovakia from abroad increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 3 205 tons, equivalent to an 18.3% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 47.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 135 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 1.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 26.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary (23.8% of imports in kind), Poland (19.3% of imports in kind), and Spain (13.9% of imports in kind) were the main markets for imports in kind, together accounting for 57.1% of total 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

Slovakia's volume of plums and sloes imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports tallied 2 534 thousand US dollars, indicating a dramatic 29.2% uptick compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 21.9%, equating to a 6.8% annualized rate. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 878 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 9.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Spain (19.2% of imports in value terms), Germany (17.9% of imports in value terms), and Italy (17.0% of imports in value terms) remained the key directions for imports in value terms, together taking 54.1% of total flows.

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

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