Slovakia is sometimes overlooked when food‐import conversations focus on larger markets — yet it presents an interesting picture for food importers and distributors. While overall merchandise trade is dominated by vehicles, machinery and electronics, food imports remain a meaningful niche with distinctive dynamics.

Key numbers

Slovakia’s total merchandise imports in 2024 reached about US$113.8 billion (≈ €105.2 billion) and according to World Bank data, food imports in 2024 represented about 7.11% of total merchandise imports. On the agricultural side, a European Commission factsheet records that in recent years Slovakia imported around €4,831 million worth of agricultural products (latest available figure) compared with €3,131 million exports.

A recent OECD-style study found that only ~59% of total consumption of food & non-alcoholic beverages in Slovakia comes from domestic sources — indicating a substantial reliance on imports for the remaining ~41%. 

These data points show that while food imports are not the dominant part of the trade figure in Slovakia (unlike electronics or vehicles), they are nonetheless significant — especially given the domestic production gap. For food exporters and importers, this means there is meaningful opportunity if one understands the market conditions.

2024-25 Trends in Food Imports

Here are some of the key trends shaping the Slovak food import market currently.

1. Domestic production shortfall & reliance on imports

As noted above, Slovakia’s domestic food and non-alcoholic beverage production covers only about 59% of internal consumption.  This leaves a sizable share of demand to be met by imports — whether from within the EU or third countries. The gap presents opportunities for imports of processed foods, specialty items, premium goods, and ingredients that domestic producers may not focus on.

2. EU and non-EU sourcing dynamics

Given Slovakia’s membership in the European Union, a large share of food imports come from fellow EU states, benefiting from the single market. For example, in 2022 the top partner countries for food‐products imports included the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany and Hungary.
On the other hand, non-EU imports (for more exotic goods, ingredients or higher‐value additives) are also a growing part of the story.

3. Changing consumer tastes & premiumisation

Consumers in Slovakia are increasingly open to international foods, premium labels, health-oriented or speciality niche products. Importers are responding by offering a wider range of items — from gourmet olive oils, canned foods from Mediterranean countries, to imported confectionery, snacks and beverages. For example, companies such as LUMARKT  focus on importing canned fish, olives, olive oil and more from Europe, Asia and South America. This premiumisation trend ties into the broader Central European pattern of rising incomes and more discerning consumer demand.

4. Supply chain / logistical responsiveness

Importers are emphasising efficient logistics, warehousing, cold‐chain capabilities (for perishable goods), and quicker turnaround. For example, Slovak importer/distributor FoodStar s.r.o., established in 2011, focuses on sweets, confectionery and soft drinks and emphasises a delivery network that can reach retail chains and independent outlets. 
Logistics matters more especially when importing from more distant markets, managing shelf‐life, regulatory compliance (labelling, food safety), and meeting retail chain standards.

5. Regulatory, geopolitical and trade-policy considerations

Several policy factors influence the food import space in Slovakia:

• The government has, in recent years, implemented import bans or restrictions on certain agricultural or food-commodity imports (for instance relating to goods from Ukraine) as part of safeguarding domestic producers. 

• As part of EU regulation, importers must meet food safety standards, hygiene, labelling, origin declarations and other certification, which adds cost and complexity for non‐EU suppliers.

• The war in Ukraine, supply chain pressures and inflation in input costs (fuel, transport) continue to influence the cost base for imported foods across Europe — and Slovakia is no exception.

6. Growth areas: Ingredients, wastes & feed sectors

While finished consumer foods are part of the story, Slovakia also imports raw materials, ingredients, and goods for processing or animal feed. For example, in 2024 the value of imports of “residues, wastes of the food industry, animal fodder” was reported at about US$490.55 million. This suggests opportunities for suppliers of input goods, raw materials, feedstocks, or by-products rather than just retail ready consumer packaged goods.

Outlook for 2025 and beyond

Looking ahead, here are some strategic observations for food importers into Slovakia:

• Continued growth in non‐EU variety and premium segments: As Slovak consumers become more global in their preferences, demand for speciality and imported foods (premium olive oils, speciality dairy, organic items, ethnic foods) is likely to strengthen.

• Ingredients & processing raw materials: Given the domestic production gap and the presence of food-processing industry (dairy, meat, confectionery) in Slovakia, suppliers of ingredients, additives and semi‐finished goods will find opportunities.

• Supply chain resilience will matter: Importers placing emphasis on warehousing, cold-chain, reliability and regulatory compliance will have a competitive edge. Those who can assure speed, freshness and flexibility will gain ground.

• Regulation & trade policy vigilance: Exporters must monitor EU and Slovak regulatory developments (labelling, food safety, tariffs or quotas on agricultural goods) since these can impact cost and market access.

• Competitive domestic context: Local Slovak producers (and regional players) will continue to defend market share; therefore imported goods will often need to differentiate (by brand, speciality, value-added features) rather than just compete on price.

• Sustainability, packaging and health trends: As in wider Europe, Slovak consumers are more attuned to eco-friendly packaging, organic credentials, healthier snacks and clean-label foods. Importers who align with those trends may capture incremental growth.

Key Food Importers in Slovakia

For any exporter or supplier exploring Slovakia, here are a few notable players actively importing and distributing food products in the Slovak market:

• LUMARKT: Based in Košice and operating since 1991, this firm specialises in non-perishable foods (canned fish, olives, olive oil, pasta, etc.) imported from Europe, Asia and South America. They emphasise warehousing and a large logistical footprint. 

• FoodStar s.r.o.: Located in Žiar nad Hronom and founded in 2011, focused on sweets, confectionery, pastry goods, soft drinks — and works with significant retail chains (COOP Jednota, etc.). 

• Lunys s.r.o.: A long-established importer/distributor specialising in fresh or packaged fruits & vegetables (including exotic and forest fruits) plus processing & packaging (peeled products). Founded as family firm in 1994, headquartered in Poprad with branch in Bratislava. 

These companies present good examples of how the Slovak import/distribution ecosystem is structured: they serve both retail chains and foodservice, maintain warehousing/logistics infrastructure, and often cover wide product assortments. For a list of more importers and their contact details, access the BestFoodImporters database.

Conclusion

While Slovakia is not the largest food‐import market in Europe, its structural reliance on imports (with roughly 40% of food & non-alcoholic beverages consumption coming from abroad) and its evolving consumer tastes make it an attractive opportunity for suppliers. The key is to understand the Slovak context: while pricing matters, so do logistics, regulatory compliance, distinctiveness of product offer, and choosing the right local import/distribution partner.

For exporters and food-importers looking to enter or grow in Slovakia in 2024-25, success will depend on aligning with local distributor networks, tailoring product assortments to Slovak consumer behaviour, and building supply chains that can reliably deliver into retail and foodservice channels. A must-have tool to identify food importers from Slovakia, with contact person details, is the BestFoodImporters platform.