Toilet paper market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, Slovak consumers shifted from two-ply to three-ply toilet paper, establishing it as the standard and driving growth in premium segments like four-ply and moist paper. This trend was supported by key domestic producers such as Harmanecké papierne and Metsä Tissue Slovakia. However, in 2019, market volume fell to 25 341 tonnes as global pulp price increases and early shrinkflation practices, where manufacturers reduced roll size and quality, began to affect consumption.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 sharply increased demand, lifting market volume to 30 401 tonnes and prompting investments in production modernization. Post-pandemic, heightened hygiene awareness sustained interest in moist and premium toilet paper, helping volume reach 32 074 tonnes in 2021. During this period, environmental concerns grew, leading manufacturers to commit to using recycled pulp and sustainable sourcing.

Rising raw material and energy costs in 2022 led to further shrinkflation and a slight volume dip to 30 583 tonnes, even as new eco-friendly lines made from 100% sustainably sourced pulp were launched. Legislative changes in waste management and environmental standards also influenced production. Market volume recovered afterwards, reaching 34 459 tonnes in 2024, supported by continuous product innovation and diversification.

Production toilet paper in Slovakia

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Slovakia's toilet paper production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 107.7 million US dollars, marking a slight reduction of 1.1% compared to 2019. Production decreased by 7.2% overall between 2017 and 2020, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 124.8 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 7.5% occurring that same year. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 12.7%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Slovakia's toilet paper production volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 79 300 tonnes, remaining broadly stable compared to the 2019 level. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 14.4%, equating to an average annual decline of 5.1%.

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

Exports toilet paper from Slovakia

Exports in kind, t

Toilet paper exports from Slovakia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 60 789 tonnes, which represents a 9.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 18.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Slovakia's toilet paper exports in volume terms were Czechia, Austria, and Germany. Czechia accounted for 43.9% of exports, Austria for 19.4%, and Germany for 13.5%. Together, these three countries absorbed 76.8% 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

Toilet paper exports from Slovakia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 75.384 million US dollars, down by 12.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 19.1%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 6.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 94.347 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 1.3% occurring that same year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Austria, and Germany accounted for the largest share of Slovakia's toilet paper exports in value terms. Czechia represented 45.7% of exports, Austria 19.8%, and Germany 11.6%. Together, these three countries comprised 77.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports toilet paper to Slovakia

Imports in kind, t

After rising for two years, toilet paper imports into Slovakia declined. In 2020, imports totaled 11 890 tonnes, representing a decrease of 10.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.0%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 13 285 tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 4.7% occurring in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources of Slovakia's toilet paper imports in volume terms were Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, and Poland. Bosnia and Herzegovina accounted for 23.0% of imports, Germany for 20.4%, and Poland for 19.6%. Together, these three countries represented 63.0% of total import 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

After advancing for two years, toilet paper imports into Slovakia declined. In 2020, imports came to 19.236 million US dollars, down by 10.5% year-over-year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 21.486 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 7.4% occurring in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Poland consistently remained the main sources of Slovakia's toilet paper imports in value terms. Germany accounted for 23.3% of imports, Bosnia and Herzegovina for 19.8%, and Poland for 17.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for 60.6% of total import flows.

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

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