Starches market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

The Slovak starch market volume grew from 394.6 thousand tons in 2018 to 427.5 thousand tons in 2020. This expansion was supported by the modernization of the Amylum Slovakia plant in 2018, which increased production efficiency and output, including a rise in the manufacture of starch syrups and other derivatives.

Market volume began to contract in 2021, falling to 416.9 thousand tons, then dropped sharply to 331.0 thousand tons in 2022 and further to 278.6 thousand tons in 2023. This decline coincided with a series of legislative changes. In 2022, multiple amendments to key laws, including new obligations for packaging distributors and changes to distribution rules, raised operational costs. Revisions to the Labor Code effective November 2022 also affected labor conditions in the industry. In 2023, new business obligations concerning accounting, taxes, and changes to social insurance further increased the administrative and cost burden on producers.

Regulatory pressure continued into 2024, with changes to the Accounting Act effective June 1 and the introduction of a mandatory e-invoicing system, which are set to alter the financial and operational environment for starch manufacturers and distributors.

Production starches in Slovakia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovakia ranked as the 23rd largest producer of starches globally.

Top producers of starches, 2017-2020

World map of production of starches, 2017-2020

Slovakia's starch production grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 440 000 tonnes of starches, marking a modest increase of 4.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 9.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.0%.

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

Exports starches from Slovakia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Slovakia exported 33 115 tonnes of starches, up 14.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 4.1%, with an average annual decline of 1.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 28 875 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 34 914 tonnes. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019, with a 17.3% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Czechia, and Germany were the top buyers of Slovak starches, accounting for 40.7%, 19.2%, and 17.4% of exports in volume, respectively. Together, they made up 77.3% of total exports.

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 starch exports were valued at 14 618 000 US dollars, a 6.6% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 5.5%, with an average annual rate of 1.8%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 13 710 000 US dollars, and the highest was in 2018 at 15 595 000 US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019 at 12.1%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 12.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland, Czechia, and Germany remained the leading destinations for Slovak starch exports by value, with shares of 39.9%, 20.7%, and 16.8%, respectively. Combined, they represented 77.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports starches to Slovakia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Slovakia imported 20 450 tonnes of starches, a 9.8% rise from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 6.8%, with an average annual growth of 2.2%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 18 620 tonnes, and the largest decline that year was 5.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria, Czechia, and Ukraine were the main sources of starch imports to Slovakia, together accounting for 78.7% of total import volume.

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

Slovakia's starch imports grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 9 275 000 US dollars, up 9.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value surged by 24.6%, with an average annual increase of 7.6%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Bulgaria, Czechia, and Ukraine were the top sources of starch imports by value to Slovakia, with shares of 36.4%, 19.3%, and 7.9%, respectively. Together, they made up 63.5% of total import value.

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

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