Wheat and meslin flour market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for wheat and meslin flour in Slovakia stood at 263.5 thousand tonnes in 2018, with production supported by efficient methods such as the use of summer wheat hybrids that do not require special hulling before milling, alongside the significant presence of state-owned mills. However, the market volume declined to 248.6 thousand tonnes in 2019.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to increased demand for staple foods including flour, driving the market volume up to 254.4 thousand tonnes. This growth continued into 2021, reaching 261.6 thousand tonnes, supported by a persistent consumer trend towards healthy and ecological products like BIO and wholemeal flours, as well as new legislative requirements for labelling and quality control.

In 2022, the market volume sharply contracted to 234.0 thousand tonnes due to macroeconomic factors including inflation and rising input prices, which raised production costs and dampened consumer demand. Concurrently, new regulations came into effect, such as the allowance of selling flour after the minimum durability date from 1 July 2022 and the introduction of deposit packaging from 1 January 2022, altering packaging and sales conditions. The market recovered in the following two years: volume rose to 254.1 thousand tonnes in 2023 and reached 265.4 thousand tonnes in 2024, surpassing pre-crisis levels.

Production wheat and meslin flour in Slovakia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Wheat and meslin flour production in Slovakia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 86 120 K $ US, remaining stable compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 3.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 1.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 87 308 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 0.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 4.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Slovakia's wheat and meslin flour production volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, 284.5 K t were produced, staying virtually the same compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 9.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 3.2%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour from Slovakia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, wheat and meslin flour shipments from Slovakia abroad were recorded at 96.6 K t, down by 6.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, exports decreased by 13.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 10.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 2.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia and Hungary played the leading roles in exports in kind, with a combined share of 90.0% of total flows. The remaining share was dispersed among other countries.

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

In 2020, exported wheat and meslin flour volumes from Slovakia reached 30 951 K $ US, which is 9.2% smaller compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 7.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 28 399 K $ US, while the maximum value was in 2019 at 34 104 K $ US. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 20.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia and Hungary remained the main markets for exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 91.1% of total flows. Other partners formed the remaining share.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour to Slovakia

Imports in kind, K t

The volume of wheat and meslin flour imports into Slovakia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 66.6 K t, remaining broadly stable compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 5.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 62.1 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 1.4%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 6.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Europe, not elsewhere specified (39.6% of imports in kind), Hungary (33.3% of imports in kind), and Czechia (19.6% of imports in kind) together accounted for 92.6% of total imports in kind, remaining the main destinations for wheat and meslin flour to Slovakia.

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

Slovakia's wheat and meslin flour import volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 24 132 K $ US of wheat and meslin flour was imported, marking a gain of 4.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 22 574 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 0.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Europe, not elsewhere specified (44.5% of imports in value terms), Hungary (25.5% of imports in value terms), and Czechia (21.5% of imports in value terms) remained the principal suppliers of wheat and meslin flour to Slovakia, jointly accounting for 91.6% 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