Preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts market in Slovenia

Earlier Report Observations

The Slovenian market for preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts showed initial growth in 2018-2019, reaching 11 924 t, despite the country's low self-sufficiency in fresh produce, which stood at 39% for vegetables and 48% for fruit. This structural dependence on imports was a persistent feature, with retailers actively sourcing from abroad due to lower prices, which pressured domestic growers and influenced market composition.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted distribution and reduced production, leading to a market contraction that bottomed at 11 304 t in 2021. During this period, consumer attention began shifting towards product quality and origin, while major retailers like Spar initiated increased purchases from local producers, setting the stage for a market rebound.

From 2022 onward, sustained retail support for Slovenian produce, exemplified by Spar buying approximately 600 t more local fruit and vegetables in 2023 than the year before, helped drive consistent market growth to 12 720 t by 2024. This expansion was further shaped by heightened consumer focus on price and quality, alongside regulatory proposals to ease market standards for direct sales of fresh produce.

Production preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts in Slovenia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Slovenia's production of preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 9 144 thousand US dollars, marking a modest 8.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the three-year period from 2018 to 2020, production rose by 18.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Slovenia produced 5 513 tonnes of preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts, which represents a 9.8% decrease from 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, overall production fell by 3.9%, translating to an average annual decline of 1.3%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 6 110 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 6.5% also occurring that year.

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

Exports preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts from Slovenia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Slovenia exported 253 tonnes of preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts, showing a strong 10.7% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 36.3%, averaging 10.9% per year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 7.5%, while the biggest jump was in 2018 with a 33.2% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Croatia, Italy, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were the top destinations for Slovenia's preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts exports by volume. Croatia accounted for 54.6% of exports, Italy for 13.8%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for 6.5%, together making up 75.0% of total export volumes.

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 exports of preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts reached 407 thousand US dollars in 2020, up 12.2% year-on-year. From 2017 to 2020, export value increased by 29.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 419 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 33.1%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest decline of 13.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Croatia, Italy, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were the leading markets for Slovenia's preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts exports by value. Together, these three countries accounted for 71.0% of total export value during this period.

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

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

Imports preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts to Slovenia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Slovenia imported 6 329 tonnes of preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts, a slight increase of 1.8% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 3.5%, averaging 1.2% per year. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 6 329 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 6.5%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 4.5% decrease.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, North Macedonia, and Croatia were the main suppliers of preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts to Slovenia by volume. Germany contributed 32.3% of imports, North Macedonia 26.6%, and Croatia 11.8%, together accounting for 70.7% of total import volumes.

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

Slovenia's imports of preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 8 465 thousand US dollars, reflecting a modest 7.3% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 16.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany, North Macedonia, and Austria were the key sources of Slovenia's preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts imports by value. Germany accounted for 31.5% of import value, North Macedonia for 19.9%, and Austria for 11.9%, collectively making up 63.3% of total import value.

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

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