Tomato market in Slovenia

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh tomato market in Slovenia experienced significant volume growth from 17 351 t in 2018 to a peak of 21 336 t in 2020, followed by a sharp contraction to 18 132 t in 2021. This decline interrupted the earlier expansion trend, setting the stage for a period of market recalibration.

Market volume partially recovered to 18 726 t in 2022, a year marked by notable shifts in the sector. Producers increasingly pivoted from business-to-business sales to direct consumer channels, attracted by higher margins and stronger brand control. This move was coupled with rising consumer interest in locally sourced and sustainable produce, exemplified by popularity of varieties like LUŠT tomatoes from Prekmurje. Simultaneously, new waste management legislation (ZVO-2) came into effect, altering packaging and distribution logistics for fresh vegetables.

By 2023, physical market volume receded to 17 484 t. In contrast, the market's value continued its upward trajectory, reaching 29.9 million $ US, suggesting a ongoing shift toward higher-value products within the category.

Production tomato in Slovenia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Tomato production in Slovenia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Slovenia produced 10 240 tonnes of tomatoes, marking a robust 13.7% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 22%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 6.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 8 390 tonnes, with the largest decline of 0.1% occurring that same year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Slovenia's tomato production value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 12 310 thousand US dollars, representing a 9.3% rise over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 24.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.7%.

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

Exports tomato from Slovenia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Slovenia's tomato exports amounted to 2 318 tonnes, showing a 14.6% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports declined by 11.3%, equating to an annualized decrease of 3.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 715 tonnes, with the largest increase of 6.6% occurring that same year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Croatia (27.2% of exports in kind), Austria (24.2% of exports in kind), and Bosnia and Herzegovina (23.0% of exports in kind) formed the main cluster of markets for Slovenia's tomato exports in volume terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 74.4% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Slovenia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year rise, Slovenia's tomato export value declined. In 2020, exports stood at 2 787 thousand US dollars, representing a robust 17.9% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 9.1%, which translates to an annualized decline of 3.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 394 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 6.5% occurring that same year.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Austria (44.1% of exports in value terms), Croatia (25.1% of exports in value terms), and Bosnia and Herzegovina (9.3% of exports in value terms) formed the key group of partners for Slovenia's tomato exports by value. Collectively, these three countries represented 78.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports tomato to Slovenia

Imports in kind, t

Tomato imports to Slovenia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Slovenia imported a total of 13 414 tonnes of tomatoes, showing only a marginal fluctuation from the previous year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 11 506 tonnes, with the largest decline of 13.9% occurring that same year. The largest increase of 16.1% was recorded in 2019.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the Netherlands (22.0% of imports in kind), Italy (17.3% of imports in kind), and Croatia (13.8% of imports in kind) formed the core group of markets for Slovenia's tomato imports in volume terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 53.1% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Slovenia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Tomato imports to Slovenia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 17 890 thousand US dollars, up by 1.1% from the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, import value increased by 3.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 15 928 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 8.1% occurring that same year. The largest increase of 11.1% was recorded in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria (21.8% of imports in value terms), Italy (19.8% of imports in value terms), and Croatia (15.6% of imports in value terms) formed the main cluster of markets for Slovenia's tomato imports by value. Together, these three countries accounted for 57.2% of total import flows.

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

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