Rapeseed market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Slovak rapeseed market volume moved from 258 thousand tons down to 199 thousand tons before recovering to 232 thousand tons. This period was marked by the successful introduction and expanding cultivation of the high-yielding Aganos hybrid, which official trials recommended and which by 2020 was sown on more than 5 000 hectares, supporting production. Broader political instability in Europe simultaneously influenced perceptions of rapeseed as a strategic crop.

Between 2021 and 2023, the market contracted to 200 thousand tons in 2021 amid shrinking global stocks of soybeans and rapeseed that tightened supply and affected prices, while domestic farm modernization investments altered cultivation economics. A dramatic surge to 300 thousand tons followed in 2022, primarily driven by the war in Ukraine which sent rapeseed prices soaring and by a season of abundant rainfall that boosted domestic yields. Rising consumer interest in plant-based foods provided additional demand support. In 2023, the market volume fell back to 253 thousand tons as preferential imports of processed vegetable oil from third countries and large European rapeseed surpluses lowered prices for local raw material, incentivizing exports. During the same year, the agri-company Poľnoservis advanced plans to adapt its production line for food-grade rapeseed oil, a significant move toward greater domestic processing capacity.

Production rapeseed in Slovakia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovakia ranked 18th globally in rapeseed production.

Top producers of rapeseed, 2017-2020

World map of production of rapeseed, 2017-2020

In 2020, Slovakia produced 445.7 K t of rapeseed, marking a moderate year-over-year increase of 5.6%. Production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 422.2 K t, while the peak was in 2018 with 485.3 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 13.0%, whereas the most significant increase was in 2018, rising by 8.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, rapeseed production in Slovakia rebounded. In 2020, the output was valued at 202.4 M $ US, representing a 19.0% increase compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 170.1 M $ US, with the largest decline that year at 13.9%.

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

Exports rapeseed from Slovakia

Exports in kind, K t

Slovakia's rapeseed exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume stood at 222.6 K t, showing a gradual drop of 8.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 11.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7%. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 283.2 K t, with the largest decline in 2019 at 14.2% and the biggest increase in 2018 at 42.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of rapeseed from Slovakia were Poland (32.9% of exports in kind), Czechia (32.2%), and Austria (22.4%), together accounting for 87.6% 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, M $ US

In 2020, Slovakia exported rapeseed worth 101.1 M $ US, a gain of 3.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 13.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.4%. The peak value was in 2018 at 115.3 M $ US, with the largest decline in 2019 at 15.2% and the largest increase in 2018 at 29.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, Poland (34.2% of exports in value terms), Czechia (30.8%), and Austria (21.6%) were the primary destinations for Slovakia's rapeseed exports in value terms, collectively making up 86.6% of total 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 rapeseed to Slovakia

Imports in kind, K t

Slovakia's rapeseed imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume was 9.3 K t, which is 53.2% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 88.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -51.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Hungary, Czechia, and Germany—together accounted for 68.7% of total rapeseed imports in kind to Slovakia.

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, M $ US

Rapeseed deliveries to Slovakia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 15.1 M $ US, a 15.6% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 65.7%, equating to an annualized rate of -30.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Hungary (26.4% of imports in value terms), Europe, not elsewhere specified (18.9%), and Germany (15.3%) formed the key group of partners for rapeseed imports in value terms to Slovakia, jointly representing 60.6% 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