Tallow market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

The Slovak tallow market expanded in volume from 8 681 t in 2018 to a peak of 11 358 t in 2021, with its value rising steadily to reach 5 665 thsd. US dollars in 2022. This initial growth phase was supported by increased investment activity in industrial sectors, as indicated by a rise in mergers and acquisitions in 2021, which likely bolstered processing capacity and demand. Concurrently, the energy crisis emerging in 2020, intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, may have spurred interest in tallow as an alternative industrial input, contributing to higher import volumes and overall market size.

Following the 2021 peak, the market's physical volume contracted, falling to 9 259 t by 2023, while its monetary value showed a slight correction. The energy crisis, severely exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, drove up energy costs broadly. This increased the value of tallow, explaining the continued rise in the market's monetary size to 5 665 thsd. US dollars in 2022 despite the drop in tonnage. The earlier noted unfavorable foreign demand from 2019 for export-oriented industries also likely continued to weigh on consumption levels.

In the later years, the market's physical volume continued a gradual decline, with imports settling at 6 753 t in 2024. The persistent energy crisis remained a background factor influencing related fuel and feedstock markets, but no specific new regulatory, industrial, or consumer preference drivers for tallow were prominently recorded during 2023-2024, indicating a period of market adjustment and stabilization.

Production tallow in Slovakia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of tallow, 2017-2020

World map of production of tallow, 2017-2020

In 2020, Slovakia produced 2 500 tonnes of tallow, showing only a marginal fluctuation compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 8.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 500 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with no change from the previous year, while the most significant increase was in 2018 at 8.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of growth, Slovakia's tallow production volume declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 029 thousand US dollars, reflecting an 8.7% year-over-year drop. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 37.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 1 128 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 27.9%.

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

Exports tallow from Slovakia

Exports in kind, t

Tallow exports from Slovakia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Slovakia exported 76 tonnes of tallow, marking a steep decline of 37.5% compared to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 53.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 22.3%. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 204 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 40.4%, while the most significant increase was in 2018 at 26.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovakia's tallow exports in kind were largely concentrated on Poland, which accounted for 78.4% of total flows, with other countries making up the remaining share.

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

Tallow shipments from Slovakia abroad declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 31 thousand US dollars, down by 43.0% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 40.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 15.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 78 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase also occurring in 2018 at 48.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Poland and Serbia clearly dominated Slovakia's tallow exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 85.2% of total flows, while other countries held much smaller shares.

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

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

Imports tallow to Slovakia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Slovakia's tallow imports amounted to 7 912 tonnes, marking a steep rise of 30.2% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 52.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.2%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 4.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Czechia, and Austria led the structure of Slovakia's tallow imports in kind, accounting for 40.6%, 27.3%, and 25.2% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 93.1% of total flows.

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 volume of tallow imports stood at 2 862 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a 34.4% year-over-year increase. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 86.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 23.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 8.4%, while the most significant increase was in 2018 at 51.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Hungary, and Austria continued to head the list of suppliers of tallow to Slovakia in value terms, accounting for 34.7%, 30.7%, and 18.8% of imports, respectively. Jointly, they took 84.3% of total imports in value terms.

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

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