Travel bags, rucksacks and similar containers market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

The Slovak market for travel bags, rucksacks, and similar containers showed relative stability in the late 2010s, with the market size edging up from 17 772 thousand US dollars in 2018 to 17 937 thousand US dollars in 2019. This period was shaped by environmental legislation: a fee for lightweight plastic bags introduced in January 2018 aimed to cut consumption, prompting retailers to offer reusable alternatives like textile or paper bags. The regulation was expanded in late December 2019 to cover nearly all plastic bags at checkout, further steering demand toward more durable containers.

In 2020, the market contracted to 17 118 thousand US dollars, a decline that coincided with the global COVID-19 pandemic, which reduced travel activity and dampened demand for bags associated with tourism and daily commuting. Production within Slovakia, however, grew significantly during this period, rising from 1 222 thousand US dollars in 2018 to 4 048 thousand US dollars in 2020, indicating a shift in domestic manufacturing focus.

After 2020, while comprehensive market size data is not available, trade flows continued to expand, with imports and exports rising through 2024. Regulatory developments persisted, notably a July 2023 law that introduced ATP certification requirements for vehicles and containers transporting perishable foods, directly affecting the segment of insulated food bags and coolers. Additionally, in 2024, the Ministry of Finance prepared to expand the list of food items in the state price comparator, which may influence packaging and bag usage for groceries in the future.

Production travel bags, rucksacks and similar containers in Slovakia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Slovakia's production of travel bags, rucksacks, and similar containers grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 4 048 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp 73.6% increase from the previous year. From 2018 to 2020, production surged by 231.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 49.1%.

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

Exports travel bags, rucksacks and similar containers from Slovakia

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Slovakia's exports of travel bags, rucksacks, and similar containers declined. In 2020, exports totaled 1 791 tonnes, down 24.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 12.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%. The peak was in 2019 at 2 382 tonnes, when the largest increase of 28.0% occurred.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of Slovakia's travel bags, rucksacks, and similar containers were Czechia, Austria, and Germany, accounting for 26.4%, 18.7%, and 15.4% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they made up 60.6% of total 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

Following two years of growth, Slovakia's exports of travel bags, rucksacks, and similar containers in value terms fell. In 2020, export value was 40 149 thousand US dollars, a slight 1.6% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 47.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.8%. The highest value was in 2019 at 40 798 thousand US dollars, when the largest rise of 39.1% was recorded.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, Czechia, Germany, and Austria were the top destinations for Slovakia's exports of travel bags, rucksacks, and similar containers in value terms, with shares of 20.5%, 19.4%, and 13.0%, respectively. Combined, they represented 52.8% 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 travel bags, rucksacks and similar containers to Slovakia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of increase, Slovakia's imports of travel bags, rucksacks, and similar containers in kind dropped. In 2020, imports amounted to 3 205 tonnes, a gradual 9.4% decline from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 5.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.8%. The maximum was in 2019 at 3 536 tonnes, while the largest increase happened in 2018 at 2.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Germany, and Vietnam were the primary sources for Slovakia's imports of travel bags, rucksacks, and similar containers in kind, contributing 55.6%, 11.4%, and 8.7%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 75.7% 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

Following two years of growth, Slovakia's imports of travel bags, rucksacks, and similar containers in value terms declined. In 2020, imports stood at 53 219 thousand US dollars, a gradual 5.6% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 35.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.8%. The peak value was in 2019 at 56 403 thousand US dollars, when the largest increase of 22.9% occurred.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Germany, and Vietnam formed the core of Slovakia's imports of travel bags, rucksacks, and similar containers in value terms, with shares of 46.9%, 11.1%, and 9.1%, respectively. Combined, they made up 67.0% 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