Quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

Following a decline in 2019 and a modest recovery in 2020, the Slovak market for quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime expanded sharply in 2021, with volume reaching 732 thousand tons. This growth coincided with a notable increase in imports from neighboring Slovenia, reflecting heightened regional trade activity that supplied the growing domestic demand. The broader post-pandemic rebound in global industrial and construction activity also provided a favorable backdrop for market expansion during this period.

After the 2021 peak, market volume contracted over the next two years, falling to 646 thousand tons in 2023 before stabilizing at around 650 thousand tons in 2024. Throughout this later phase, Slovakia maintained its role as a key European exporter of these products, with domestic per capita consumption remaining among the highest in the EU, underpinning a steady baseline of demand despite the overall market correction.

Production quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime in Slovakia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Slovakia's production of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 68 317 thousand US dollars, marking a 9.5% decrease from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 12.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 84 566 thousand US dollars, which saw an 8.7% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 10.7%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Slovakia's production volume of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 724.9 thousand tonnes were produced, representing a 3.2% contraction compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 5.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.8%. The peak was in 2018 at 771.2 thousand tonnes, which saw a modest increase of 0.7%.

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

Exports quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime from Slovakia

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Slovakia's exports of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime declined. In 2020, exports totaled 175.4 thousand tonnes, down by 15.6% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 5.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 207.8 thousand tonnes, which saw a significant increase of 16.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the principal buyers of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime from Slovakia were Czechia, Hungary, and Poland. Czechia accounted for 35.6% of exports in kind, Hungary for 27.9%, and Poland for 21.5%. Together, these three countries represented 85.0% of total exports in kind.

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

In 2020, Slovakia's foreign supplies of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime were valued at 14 361 thousand US dollars, showing a drop of 12.7% compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 16 446 thousand US dollars, which saw an increase of 16.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Czechia, and Poland led the structure of exports in value terms. Hungary accounted for 27.4% of exports, Czechia for 25.7%, and Poland for 21.6%. Collectively, these three countries represented 74.8% 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 quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime to Slovakia

Imports in kind, K t

Slovakia's imports of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached approximately 69.4 thousand tonnes, marking a steep gain of 46.8% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 2.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 43.5 thousand tonnes, which saw a decline of 35.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Italy, Czechia, and Austria played the leading roles in Slovakia's imports of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime in kind. Italy accounted for 38.2% of imports, Czechia for 26.6%, and Austria for 17.3%. Together, these three countries accounted for 82.1% 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

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a two-fold difference between these years. In 2020, deliveries to Slovakia were valued at 7 349 thousand US dollars, indicating an abrupt improvement of 78.8% versus the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 3 587 thousand US dollars, which saw a decline of 41.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations in the geographical breakdown of imports in value terms for quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime to Slovakia were Czechia, Italy, and Austria. Czechia accounted for 31.9% of imports, Italy for 30.9%, and Austria for 16.8%. Combined, these three countries represented 79.6% of total import flows.

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

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