Tallow market in Czechia

Earlier Report Observations

The Czech tallow market volume experienced a pronounced contraction from 12 840 t in 2018 to 5 108 t in 2023. This overall decline was primarily driven by a sharp, sustained reduction in imports, which fell from over 9 000 t to below 2 000 t, coupled with a significant increase in exports, particularly after 2021. Domestic production remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 7 900 t and 8 400 t throughout the period.

A temporary reversal occurred in 2021, with market volume rising to 8 728 t. This increase aligned with broader European growth in demand for tallow fatty acids, fueled by expansion in the rubber and plastics industries. Furthermore, stringent government hygiene policies in the food & beverage and medical sectors supported consumption within the region.

Following 2021, the market resumed its downward trajectory, falling to 7 401 t in 2022 and 5 108 t in 2023. This continued decline coincided with further drops in import volumes and a substantial rise in exports, which reached 4 698 t in 2023.

Production tallow in Czechia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of tallow, 2017-2020

World map of production of tallow, 2017-2020

In 2020, Czechia produced 8 200 tonnes of tallow, which remained nearly unchanged from the previous year. Looking back to 2019, production also stood at 8 200 tonnes, marking the highest level in the period from 2017 to 2020. Over this four-year span, production grew by 5.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 2.6%.

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

Exports tallow from Czechia

Exports in kind, t

Czechia's tallow exports declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 2 761 tonnes, which represents a 15.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 38.5%, with an average annual decline of 15.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany were the principal buyers of tallow from Czechia, accounting for 49.4%, 17.5%, and 12.1% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 79.0% of total exports in kind.

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

In 2020, Czechia's tallow export value totaled 1 688 thousand US dollars, showing a gain of 13.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 24.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 889 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 39.4%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline, with a drop of 21.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Slovakia, the Netherlands, and Germany played leading roles in Czechia's tallow exports in value terms, accounting for 50.6%, 13.0%, and 11.9% of exports, respectively. Collectively, these three markets represented 75.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports tallow to Czechia

Imports in kind, t

Czechia's tallow imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 2 794 tonnes, down by 47.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 69.2%, with an average annual decline of 32.4%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 9 134 tonnes, which also saw a modest increase of 0.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland and Austria remained the key partner countries for Czechia's tallow imports in kind, with a combined share of 87.8% of total flows, while other partners accounted for the remainder.

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

Czechia's tallow import value increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 1 868 thousand US dollars, which corresponds to a dramatic gain of 58.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 70.8%, equating to an average annual rate of 19.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 033 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 5.6%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Germany, Austria, and Poland formed the main cluster of markets for Czechia's tallow imports in value terms, accounting for 41.0%, 29.4%, and 28.4% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 98.8% of total import flows.

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

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