Spinach market in Slovenia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh or chilled spinach in Slovenia rose from 556.5 t in 2018 to 580.4 t in 2020. Consumer preference for fresh, locally grown vegetables, including spinach prized for its nutritional value, supported demand. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further influenced consumer behavior, indirectly boosting interest in healthy foods like spinach.

Market volume then contracted to 415.6 t by 2023, alongside a steep decline in domestic production from 370 t in 2020 to 160 t in 2023. During these years, online food sales and digitalization of the market continued to grow, reshaping distribution channels and consumer habits, while preferences increasingly favored sustainable and high-quality products.

In 2024, the ban of the fungicide dimethomorph from May 20 affected agricultural practices for spinach, highlighting food safety concerns. Simultaneously, online food sales in Slovenia expanded strongly, increasing the number of digital traders and buyers, which altered the accessibility and distribution of products like spinach.

Production spinach in Slovenia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of spinach, 2017-2020

World map of production of spinach, 2017-2020

Spinach production in Slovenia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 370.0 t of spinach, marking a 15.6% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 29.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 9.0%.

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

Exports spinach from Slovenia

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2017, with a 5.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Slovenia's spinach export volume was 0.6 t, representing a sharp decline of 80.9% from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 19.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Croatia, Italy, and Sweden consistently led the country structure of exports in kind, accounting for 49.5%, 28.9%, and 11.4% of exports, respectively. Together, these three markets made up 89.8% of total flows.

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

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports hit their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 6.5-fold gap between these years. In 2020, exported spinach volumes from Slovenia reached 2.7 K $ US, which is 84.6% lower than in 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 17.5 K $ US, with the largest increase that year at 57.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in value terms was dominated by Croatia and Italy, which together accounted for 82.3% of total flows, while other markets contributed to a long tail.

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

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

Imports spinach to Slovenia

Imports in kind, t

Spinach deliveries to Slovenia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume totaled 210.9 t, down by 13.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 12%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 259.1 t, with the largest increase that year at 8.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, 90.3% of total imports in kind of spinach to Slovenia were directed to Italy, making this market overwhelmingly dominant.

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 spinach imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 721.7 K $ US, reflecting a significant loss of 15.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 13%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 926.6 K $ US, with the largest increase that year at 11.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, spinach imports to Slovenia were supplied almost exclusively to Italy, which absorbed 91.1% of total imports in value terms.

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

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