Salted, brined, dried or smoked pork bellies and cuts market in Czechia

Earlier Report Observations

The Czech market for salted, brined, dried or smoked pork bellies and cuts began in 2018 under a new comprehensive food traceability system that required producers and distributors to record ingredient origins and distribution. Market volume then fell in 2019 and 2020, coinciding with stricter temperature controls for packaged minced meat that raised operational costs for processors, and a relaxation of rules for small poultry farmers that expanded direct sales channels for meat products.

A sharp recovery occurred in 2021, with market volume jumping to 4 968 tons, while new rules mandating separate sales of vegetable and animal fats altered packaging and labeling practices. The following year, a law transposing EU unfair trading practices into Czech legislation redefined market power abuse in the food chain, accompanying a moderate market contraction to 4 588 tons.

Market volume grew again in 2023, reaching 5 280 tons, supported by a delay in front‑of‑pack nutrition labeling revisions that eased regulatory pressure. In 2024, however, fresh legislation on food labeling and traceability, alongside a 2.1% rise in pork production, was followed by a drop in market volume to 4 574 tons.

Production salted, brined, dried or smoked pork bellies and cuts in Czechia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Production of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts in Czechia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 11 562 thousand US dollars, marking a modest decrease of 5.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 5.3%, which translates to an annualized decline of 1.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 14 243 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 16.6% occurring that year. The most significant drop was in 2019, when production decreased by 14.3%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Czechia's production volume of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2 806 tonnes, representing a drop of 6.4% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 11.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.1%. The peak volume was in 2018 at 3 516 tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 10.5%. The steepest decline occurred in 2019, with a 14.7% reduction.

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

Exports salted, brined, dried or smoked pork bellies and cuts from Czechia

Exports in kind, t

Exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts from Czechia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 146 tonnes, showing a moderate drop of 7.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 12.5%, equating to an annualized decline of 4.3%. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 178 tonnes, which experienced the largest increase of 6.7%. The most significant decrease was in 2019, with an 11.3% fall.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovakia and Austria were the primary markets for Czechia's exports in volume terms, together accounting for 86.1% of total flows. Other destinations held relatively smaller shares during this period.

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

World map of product's exports from Czechia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts from Czechia declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 799 thousand US dollars, down by 0.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 3%, with an annualized growth rate of 1.0%. The peak value was in 2018 at 916 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 18.1%. The most notable decline occurred in 2019, with a 12.0% decrease.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Slovakia and Austria remained the main destinations for Czechia's exports in value terms, jointly representing 81.4% of total flows. Other partners each accounted for significantly smaller shares.

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

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

Imports salted, brined, dried or smoked pork bellies and cuts to Czechia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Czechia's import volume of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts amounted to 1 164 tonnes, showing little change from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 62.9%, with an annualized decline of 28.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 060 tonnes, which experienced the largest drop of 66.2%. The most significant increase was in 2019, with a 10.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Austria, Germany, and Poland—together accounted for 75.8% of Czechia's total imports in volume terms for salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts.

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

World map of product's imports to Czechia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts into Czechia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 1 000 thousand US dollars, representing a solid advance of 12.2% over the past year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 33.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Austria (26.9% of imports in value terms), Germany (23.2%), and Poland (12.8%) formed the core group of markets for Czechia's imports, together representing 62.8% of total flows.

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

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