Dairy products and alternatives in 2025: The big picture
Value sales of dairy products and alternatives in Slovakia rose in 2025. A key driver behind this development was the introduction of new legislation that reduced VAT rates for most dairy products. The majority of dairy products saw VAT drop from 10% in 2024 to 5% in 2025, making them more affordable. However, this change also placed downward pressure on current value sales growth. In contrast, plant-based products were not included in the reduced VAT list and instead experienced a modest drop in VAT, from 20% in 2024 to 19% in 2025, which made them more expensive relative to traditional dairy.
Key trends in 2025
Added-value products and dairy brands featuring health benefits, natural ingredients, or reduced fat and sugar enjoyed strong popularity in 2025. Within this trend, protein-enriched products emerged as top performers, supported by growing health awareness and increased availability in retail stores. Products fortified with calcium and vitamins also attracted interest, especially when these claims were combined with multiple other benefits such as high protein content, immunity-boosting properties, and appealing price promotions. Price sensitivity was a defining factor in consumer behaviour, with value-for-money offers – particularly premium products temporarily offered at lower prices – generating strong interest.
Competitive Landscape
Savencia Fromage & Dairy SK was the leading company within dairy products and alternatives overall in 2025. The company produces the Liptov, Lucina, and Pribinacek brands, which are present in the cheese and other dairy categories. The competitive environment remained challenging, with strong price competition and a contested race for leadership in the dairy category. Savencia is expected to rank first, thanks to the continued success of its Liptov cheese assortment and its strategic focus on grilling cheese products. The company also benefitted from the popularity of its Pribinacek brand. Strong marketing support, frequent price promotions, and a wide retail distribution network helped Savencia defend its position against other major players such as Meggle Slovakia and Tatranska Mliekaren, both of which hold similar current value shares.
Channel developments
Supermarkets remained the leading distribution channel within dairy products and alternatives overall in 2025. These outlets retained their top position thanks to strong nationwide coverage and proximity to consumers' homes and frequently visited areas. Supermarkets struck a balance between offering an extensive assortment and providing a fast, convenient shopping experience. The strong presence of private label dairy products also supported the channel. However, supermarkets lost a small share of dairy distribution in 2025 to competing channels such as discounters and e-commerce. Retailers operating supermarket chains, such as Coop, Billa, Fresh, and Tesco, also invested in online platforms, which – while offering convenience – cannibalised some of their physical store sales.
What next for dairy products and alternatives?
Value sales of dairy products and alternatives are set to rise over the forecast period. Constant value growth is expected, supported by improving purchasing power among Slovak consumers and a growing trend towards premiumisation. Plant-based dairy alternatives, quality ingredients from verifiable sources, and clean-label products are expected to gain traction. As consumers become more informed and financially able to invest in quality, willingness to pay for better products is expected to grow.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Dairy Products and Alternatives industry in Slovakia with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to a comprehensive range of core packaged food categories.
If you're in the Dairy Products and Alternatives industry in Slovakia, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Dairy Products and Alternatives in Slovakia report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Dairy Products and Alternatives in Slovakia?
- Which are the leading brands in Dairy Products and Alternatives in Slovakia?
- How are products distributed in Dairy Products and Alternatives in Slovakia?
- How is the rise of e-commerce and/or the expansion of modern grocery retail impacting traditional retail?
- What are the key health and wellness concerns driving, or challenging, sales in Dairy Products and Alternatives?
- How significant are vegan and vegetarian dietary requirements in determining sales growth in Slovakia?
- How has COVID-19 impacted consumer demand? To what extent have lockdown, home seclusion and stockpiling boosted sales? Will the longer term economic repercussions of the pandemic stimulate or suppress future growth?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
- How significant will values-based claims, such as sustainability and ethical labelling, be in supporting future growth and brand equity?
Dairy Products and Alternatives in Slovakia
Dairy products and alternatives in 2025: The big picture
Key trends in 2025
Competitive Landscape
Channel developments
What next for dairy products and alternatives?
DISCLAIMER
Baby Food in Slovakia
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Weak birth rates limit volume growth despite price-led value gains
Nutricia retains leadership amid difficult conditions as private label gains ground
Drugstores and discounters reshape retail landscape for baby food
Premiumisation and economic recovery to support gradual value growth
Demand for functional and organic baby food expected to strengthen
Legislative reforms may reshape the pricing landscape over the forecast period
Butter and Spreads in Slovakia
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Rising prices and tax changes shape consumer demand
Innovation and affordability strengthen leading players
Supermarkets defend their lead despite growing online activity
Improved consumer purchasing power supports a recovery in butter consumption
Health-driven purchasing habits to boost premium and functional products
Sustainability messaging supports plant-based spreads, but tradition sustains butter
Cheese in Slovakia
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Unpackaged cheese drives interest as consumers seek freshness and flexibility
Local producers gain traction as marketing and innovation support growth
Supermarkets and discounters expand reach through pricing and private label strength
Rising purchasing power is set to support premiumisation and innovation
Flexitarian diets position cheese as a preferred protein-rich alternative
Sustainability pressures drive packaging and production improvements
Drinking Milk Products in Slovakia
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Price sensitivity shapes consumption as VAT shifts and fresh milk gains momentum
Traditional brands and modern retail strategies define the competitive landscape
Discounters gain pace as e-commerce expands slowly from a small base
Premiumisation and rising household incomes to support long-term value growth
Health-focused innovation to gain traction across mainstream channels
Political debates may reshape VAT structure amid growing demand for fairness
Yoghurt and Sour Milk Products in Slovakia
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Traditional dairy options see steady demand amid affordability concerns
Rajo maintains leadership despite competitive pressure and rebranding
Supermarkets lead but discounters grow rapidly on affordability and trust
Premiumisation and functional appeal expected to fuel growth
Fortified yoghurt offerings to benefit from wellness-oriented consumption
Sustainability becomes a key focus for manufacturers and regulators
Other Dairy in Slovakia
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Cream leads value growth amid rising prices and home-cooking trend
Competitive landscape intensifies with new players and functional innovations
Discounters retain the lead while hypermarkets regain momentum
Premiumisation and tradition to support growth amid rising competition
Flexitarian diets and health-focused innovation shape future demand
Sustainability becomes a core expectation rather than a niche concern
Plant-Based Dairy in Slovakia
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Rising interest in health offsets plant-based VAT disadvantage
Strong brands lead but face pressure from private label
Evolving channel dynamics favour discounters and e-commerce
Growing health consciousness to support steady retail expansion
Expanding foodservice presence complements wellness-led retail demand
Environmental impact strengthens brand positioning, but tradition still favours dairy
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Dairy Products and Alternatives
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- Dried Baby Food
- Prepared Baby Food
- Other Baby Food
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- Liquid Standard Milk Formula
- Powder Standard Milk Formula
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- Liquid Follow-on Milk Formula
- Powder Follow-on Milk Formula
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- Liquid Growing-Up Milk Formula
- Powder Growing-Up Milk Formula
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- Liquid Special Baby Milk Formula
- Powder Special Baby Milk Formula
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- Butter
- Cooking Fats
- Margarine and Spreads
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- Spreadable Cheese
- Processed Cheese excl Spreadable
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- Packaged Hard Cheese
- Unpackaged Hard Cheese
- Soft Cheese
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- Dairy Only Flavoured Milk Drinks
- Flavoured Milk Drinks with Fruit Juice
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- Fat-free Fresh Milk
- Semi Skimmed Fresh Milk
- Full Fat Fresh Milk
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- Fat-free Shelf Stable Milk
- Semi Skimmed Shelf Stable Milk
- Full Fat Shelf Stable Milk
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- Goat Milk
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- Powder Milk
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- Sour Milk Products
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- Drinking Yoghurt
- Flavoured Yoghurt
- Plain Yoghurt
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- Chilled Dairy Desserts
- Shelf Stable Dairy Desserts
- Chilled Snacks
- Coffee Whiteners
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- Flavoured Condensed Milk
- Plain Condensed Milk
- Evaporated Milk
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- Cream
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- Flavoured Fromage Frais and Quark
- Plain Fromage Frais and Quark
- Savoury Fromage Frais and Quark
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- Soy Drinks
- Other Plant-based Milk
- Plant-based Yoghurt
- Plant-based Cheese
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This report originates from Passport, our Dairy Products and Alternatives research and analysis database.
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