Whey market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the whey market in Slovakia saw strong growth, with volume rising from 37 847 t to 119 640 t. This expansion was driven by the launch of innovative dried whey products, such as the 400 g packaging introduced by Milk-Agro in 2018, which used gentle spray-drying to retain nutrients. At the same time, consumer preferences shifted towards whey as a dietary supplement, particularly in protein drinks and sports nutrition, increasing demand for whey isolates and concentrates through 2022.

After reaching a peak in 2022, market volume adjusted to 81 016 t in 2023 and stabilized at 80 938 t in 2024. Production remained high at 71 778 t in 2024, while imports, which had surged to 69 832 t in 2022, returned to 26 944 t in 2024. The market value followed a similar trajectory, reaching $13.7 million in 2022 before settling at $9.6 million in 2024.

Production whey in Slovakia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Slovakia's whey output was valued at 7 474 thousand US dollars, marking a gradual increase of 5.4% compared to 2019.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Slovakia ranked 23rd globally in terms of whey production volume.

Top producers of whey, 2017-2020

World map of production of whey, 2017-2020

Slovakia's whey production volume grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 62 514 tonnes of whey, representing a significant gain of 43.8% from the previous year. Between 2019 and 2020, production rose by 42%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 12.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 42 223 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 4.1%.

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

Exports whey from Slovakia

Exports in kind, t

Slovakia's cross-border shipments of whey increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 13 519 tonnes, showing a strong 24.0% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 69.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the principal buyers of whey from Slovakia in terms of volume were Czechia, accounting for 50.4% of exports, Bulgaria with 24.0%, and Poland at 10.1%. Together, these three countries represented 84.6% of Slovakia's total whey exports by volume.

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, Slovakia's whey export value was 7 226 thousand US dollars, remaining broadly stable year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 16.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 5.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 433 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 12.7%. The highest value occurred in 2019 at 7 249 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 33.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of whey from Slovakia in value terms were Czechia, representing 35.9% of exports, Bulgaria with 32.2%, and Poland at 11.0%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 79.2% of Slovakia's total whey 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 whey to Slovakia

Imports in kind, t

The market for whey imports into Slovakia showed volatility during these years. In 2020, foreign whey supplies to Slovakia amounted to 25 790 tonnes, indicating a steep increase of 94.9% relative to the prior year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 5 779 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 72.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 128.9%, resulting in a peak in 2020 and a trough in 2018, with a 4.5-fold difference between these years.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Czechia and Romania were the main sources for Slovakia's whey imports by volume, together accounting for 86.7% of total flows. Other partners each held significantly smaller shares.

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

In 2020, Slovakia's whey import value stood at 5 622 thousand US dollars, which is 6.3% lower compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 10.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 453 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 13.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 10.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main suppliers of whey to Slovakia in value terms were Czechia, accounting for 31.3% of imports, Austria with 20.8%, and Germany at 19.6%. Together, these three countries comprised 71.7% of Slovakia's total whey import value.

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

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