Sucrose in solid form market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

Following the abolition of EU sugar production quotas in 2018, the Slovak market was characterized by overproduction and falling prices, leading to financial losses for domestic producers. This period of surplus kept the market volume relatively stable, hovering around 172-174 thousand tons through 2020. During this time, major producers like Považský cukor returned to profitability due to shifting market conditions.

A significant contraction occurred in the following years, with the market volume falling to 148 thousand tons in 2021 and further to 125 thousand tons in 2022.

The market rebounded strongly to 179 thousand tons in 2023, a year in which Považský cukor reported a profit exceeding €11 million. In 2024, a major structural change took place as the German owner Nordzucker AG decided to cease sugar production at the Považský cukor plant in Trenčianska Teplá, converting it into a logistics center. Concurrently, the Slovak government implemented a ban on sugar imports from Ukraine as a protective market measure.

Production sucrose in solid form in Slovakia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sucrose in solid form, 2017-2020

World map of production of sucrose in solid form, 2017-2020

In 2019, Slovakia produced 207.4 thousand tons of sucrose in solid form, marking the highest output during the period. However, production declined to 191.8 thousand tons in 2020, representing a 7.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 timeframe, overall production fell by 4.8%, with an average annual decline of 1.6%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 3.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Slovakia's production of sucrose in solid form, measured in value terms, grew for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 98.2 million US dollars—a 5.9% increase from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 84.3 million US dollars, which saw a substantial 28.4% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 16.6%, with an average annual decline of 5.9%. The most notable increase occurred in 2019, with a 10.0% rise.

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

Exports sucrose in solid form from Slovakia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Slovakia exported 63.1 thousand tons of sucrose in solid form, a significant 41.1% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 46.4%, translating to an average annual decline of 18.8%. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2019, when exports grew by 8.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Slovenia, and Czechia were the primary destinations for Slovakia's sucrose in solid form exports by volume. Hungary accounted for 54.7% of total exports, Slovenia for 15.3%, and Czechia for 12.7%. Together, these three countries represented 82.7% of Slovakia's total sucrose 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, K $ US

In 2020, Slovakia's sucrose in solid form exports were valued at 32 325 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp 32.6% decline from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 53%, with an average annual decline of 22.3%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, with a 39.2% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a 14.6% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Slovenia, and Czechia formed the key group of partners for Slovakia's sucrose in solid form exports by value. Hungary accounted for 55.9% of total export value, Slovenia for 13.4%, and Czechia for 13.1%. Collectively, these three countries represented 82.4% of Slovakia's total sucrose export flows in monetary terms.

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

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

Imports sucrose in solid form to Slovakia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Slovakia imported 73.9 thousand tons of sucrose in solid form, a 40.7% decrease from the previous year, marking the second consecutive annual decline. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 73.9 thousand tons, which saw a 41.2% increase from 2017. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 18.3%, with an average annual decline of 6.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary suppliers of sucrose in solid form to Slovakia by volume were Czechia, Poland, and Europe, not elsewhere specified. Czechia accounted for 52.0% of total imports, Poland for 15.2%, and Europe, not elsewhere specified for 8.3%. Together, these sources represented 75.5% of Slovakia's total sucrose imports in kind.

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

In 2020, Slovakia's imports of sucrose in solid form were valued at 23 911 thousand US dollars, down 31.7% from the previous year. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 34 989 thousand US dollars, which saw a 7.6% increase from 2018. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 30%, with an average annual decline of 11.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for Slovakia's sucrose in solid form imports by value were Czechia, Poland, and Europe, not elsewhere specified. Czechia accounted for 51.2% of total import value, Poland for 14.7%, and Europe, not elsewhere specified for 11.4%. Collectively, these three sources represented 77.3% of Slovakia's total sucrose import flows in monetary terms.

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

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