Wheat and meslin market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the Slovak wheat market expanded as planted area increased to 405 thousand hectares, supported by favorable weather yielding 6 tonnes per hectare. High production profitability and self-sufficiency over 210% reinforced an export-oriented market structure. European wheat prices saw moderate growth in 2019 due to tighter supply in some EU countries, contributing to higher market value.

The market contracted in physical volume in 2020 despite an 18% larger harvest, as global trade restrictions and reduced stocks among major exporters influenced trade flows. In 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic and rising global demand from Asia and Africa, coupled with increasing energy and labor costs, pushed wheat prices upward, significantly increasing the market's value even as consumption volume slightly decreased.

The outbreak of war in Ukraine in 2022 triggered a sharp price surge due to disrupted grain exports and an energy crisis, raising production costs for millers and bakers. By 2023, production reached a high despite average, wet-harvest quality and some reduction in sown area; however, the domestic market was constrained by a lack of processing capacity, maintaining a high export volume.

Production wheat and meslin in Slovakia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

Wheat and meslin production in Slovakia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Slovakia produced 2 133 K t of wheat and meslin, representing a 10.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 20.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Slovakia's wheat and meslin production value has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 473.1 M $ US, showing a gradual increase of 5.1% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 35.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 10.7%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin from Slovakia

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, Slovakia's wheat and meslin export volume has increased. In 2020, Slovakia exported 1 271 K t of wheat and meslin, marking a steep gain of 52.8% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 13.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 832 K t, following the largest decline of 17.2% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Germany, and Austria were the top contributors to Slovakia's wheat and meslin exports in kind. Poland accounted for 25.7% of exports, Germany for 19.1%, and Austria for 19.0%, jointly representing 63.8% of total export flows.

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, M $ US

Following a two-year drop, Slovakia's wheat and meslin export value has increased. In 2020, exports amounted to 281.9 M $ US, corresponding to a gain of 46.0% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value rose by 27.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 8.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 193.1 M $ US, after the largest decline of 8.7% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Germany, and Austria were the primary buyers of wheat and meslin from Slovakia in value terms. Poland accounted for 24.0% of exports, Germany for 21.1%, and Austria for 18.2%, jointly making up 63.3% of total export value.

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 to Slovakia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Slovakia's wheat and meslin import volume reached 16 K t, which is 50.7% lower year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 36.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 14.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 32 K t, with the largest increase of 41.0% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Europe (not elsewhere specified), and Hungary were the leading sources for Slovakia's wheat and meslin imports in kind. Czechia accounted for 39.8% of imports, Europe (not elsewhere specified) for 25.8%, and Hungary for 22.4%, jointly representing 88.0% 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, M $ US

In 2020, Slovakia's wheat and meslin import value amounted to 5.1 M $ US, which is 46.8% smaller relative to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 27.5%, with a compound annual decline rate of 10.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 9.7 M $ US, with the largest increase of 55.3% also recorded that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Europe (not elsewhere specified), and Hungary were the principal destinations for Slovakia's wheat and meslin imports in value terms. Czechia accounted for 34.0% of imports, Europe (not elsewhere specified) for 23.3%, and Hungary for 18.1%, jointly accounting for 75.4% 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