Rapeseed oilcake market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

The Slovak rapeseed oilcake market was initially shaped by EU biodiesel policies. In 2018, the methyl ester of rapeseed oil (MEŘO) blend mandate rose to 5.75% in diesel fuel, stimulating rapeseed crushing. Simultaneously, the company Setuza began using a duty‑free quota to import 100 thousand tons of rapeseed, improving raw material availability. These measures supported steady production until 2020, when COVID‑19 pandemic disruptions to labor and supply chains temporarily reduced market volume to 87.8 thousand tons. The market rebounded in 2021 after the MEŘO requirement increased to 6% in April, directly boosting demand for rapeseed oil in biofuels. Entry of new players into the regional biodiesel and vegetable oil sector further intensified processing activity.

Continued regulatory pressure for sustainability and advanced biofuels under EU legislation maintained momentum in the following years. New EU biofuel regulations and tighter labeling rules for food oils in 2022 reinforced market standards. By 2023, global rapeseed oil output expanded, and processors focused on higher extraction efficiency, pushing Slovak production of oilcake to 168.7 thousand tons and lifting market volume to 118.8 thousand tons. In 2024, the market adjusted slightly to 114.2 thousand tons amid evolving EU policies promoting second‑generation biofuels and ongoing geopolitical influences on supply chains.

Production rapeseed oilcake in Slovakia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Slovakia ranked 24th globally in rapeseed oilcake production between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of rapeseed oilcake, 2017-2020

World map of production of rapeseed oilcake, 2017-2020

Slovakia's rapeseed oilcake production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output stood at 136.3 thousand tonnes, showing little change from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, production grew by 8.3%, averaging 2.7% per year. The highest level was recorded in 2018 at 136.7 thousand tonnes, with an 8.6% increase that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the smallest decline of 0.2%.

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

Exports rapeseed oilcake from Slovakia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Slovakia's cross-border shipments of rapeseed oilcake reached 72 221 tonnes, marking a moderate 9.0% rise from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 46.2%, averaging 13.5% annually. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 44.9%, while 2019 experienced a 7.4% decline.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Austria, Hungary, and Czechia were the top three markets, collectively accounting for 86.7% of Slovakia's rapeseed oilcake exports by volume.

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 rapeseed oilcake supplies totaled 16 120 thousand US dollars, up 5.5% from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 span, exports increased by 44.4%, with an average annual growth of 13.0%. The peak value was in 2018 at 17 128 thousand US dollars, featuring a 53.5% jump that year, whereas 2019 saw a 10.8% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria (40.6% of export value), Hungary (23.2%), and Czechia (22.1%) were the main destinations for Slovakia's rapeseed oilcake exports by value, together making up 85.8% 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 oilcake to Slovakia

Imports in kind, t

Rapeseed oilcake imports into Slovakia fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the volume was 23 754 tonnes, down 7.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 6.8%, averaging a 2.3% annual decline. The highest level was in 2018 at 29 024 tonnes, with a 13.9% increase that year, while 2019 recorded the largest drop of 11.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland (40.7% of import volume), Austria (28.1%), and Czechia (18.5%) were the leading sources for Slovakia's rapeseed oilcake imports by volume, jointly representing 87.3% 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

Rapeseed oilcake import volumes into Slovakia declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 6 191 thousand US dollars, an 11.9% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 6.9%, with an average annual decline of 2.3%. The peak was in 2018 at 8 401 thousand US dollars, featuring a 26.4% rise that year, while 2019 saw the largest reduction of 16.4%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Poland (35.1% of import value), Austria (28.2%), and Czechia (18.4%) formed the key group of partners for Slovakia's rapeseed oilcake imports by value, together accounting for 81.7% 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