Czech Republic - Agricultural Sector

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Agricultural Sector

This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.

Last published date: 2023-01-03

Overview

Best prospects for U.S. agricultural products are tree nuts such as almonds, dried fruits, food preparations, wines and distilled spirits, and seafood such as hake, pollock, and salmon. While direct sales from the United States reflect a stagnant market, indirect sales via transshipments through European countries, particularly Germany and the Netherlands, are on the rise, as evidenced by the availability and variety of U.S. food products found in the Czech market today. As in previous years, Czech consumers continued to be price conscious, taking advantage of promotions however also becoming more aware of health benefits, food safety, and place of origin issues.

Best prospects for high-quality U.S. food products have been typically in the Czech hotels, restaurants and institutional (HRI) sector. Unfortunately, this sector was one of the first and most heavily hit by the Covid pandemic restrictions. All hotels and restaurants were ordered to be shut down for long periods of time. Strict social distancing rules, reduced opening hours, and in some cases limited options to switch to takeaway/home delivery services negatively affected the performance and resulted into a steep decline in value sales and number of outlets. Moreover, the tourism industry stopped almost overnight in spring 2020 and the return of tourists, particularly from foreign destinations, to pre-pandemic numbers will likely be slow. The Covid outbreak remains as a major concern and continues to have an enormous impact on the Czech economy and international trade.

Beef

Unit: USD thousands

Table 1: Total Market Size for Beef
	2018	2019	2020	2021 (Estimate)
Total Exports	52,700	54,403	55,700	56,500
Total Imports	186,000	181,872	155,900	185,000
Imports from the US	2,572	2,403	1,587	2,300
Exchange Rates	21.941	22.165	20.754	21.417

Source: Czech Statistical Office; Bureau of Fiscal Service, U.S. Department of the Treasury

Czech consumers have discovered the tastiness of chilled high-quality U.S. beef which has become a very promising U.S. product for the Czech market. (HS code: 0201)

Dried Nuts and Fruits

Unit: USD thousands

Table 2: Total Market Size for Dried Nuts and Fruits
	2018	2019	2020	2021 (Estimated)
Total Exports	33,000	35,961	49,000	66,000
Total Imports	188,000	180,463	212,380	253,000
Imports from the US	20,500	25,823	26,000	25,000
Exchange Rates	21.941	22.165	20.754	21.417

Source: Czech Statistical Office; Bureau of Fiscal Service, U.S. Department of the Treasury

Almonds are imported almost exclusively from California and sell well in retail outlets, especially in hypermarkets. The processing sector (primarily bakers and confectioners) continually seeks lower-cost ingredients while consumers seek higher-quality products. Other highly sought imported dried fruits include raisins, prunes, cranberries, and pistachios. (HS codes: 0802, 0806, and 0813)

Fish and Crustaceans

Unit: USD thousands

Table 3: Total Market Size for Fish and Crustaceans
	2018	2019	2020	2021 (Estimated)
Total Exports	160,000	156,000	169,000	197,000
Total Imports	262,000	254,000	250,000	306,000
Imports from the US	14,000	12,700	10,000	12,000
Exchange Rates	21.941	22.165	20.754	21.417

Source: Czech Statistical Office; Bureau of Fiscal Service, U.S. Department of the Treasury

The Czech Republic, a landlocked country, produces only freshwater fish such as carp (a traditional Christmas dish) and trout. Sea fish and seafood are imported. As Czech consumers move toward a healthier diet and lifestyle, fish consumption is on the rise. U.S. fish and seafood products that have good opportunities in the Czech market include Alaskan pollock, Pacific salmon, hake, scallop, shrimp, and lobster. (HS code 03)

Food Preparations

Unit: USD thousands

Table 4: Total Market Size for Food Preparations
	2018	2019	2020	2021
Total Exports	395,000	436,000	477,000	587,000
Total Imports	374,000	420,500	450,000	520,000
Imports from the US	12,000	11,700	21,600	22,000
Exchange Rates	21.941	22.165	20.754	21.417

Source: Czech Statistical Office; Bureau of Fiscal Service, U.S. Department of the Treasury

Food preparations imported from the United States, include soft drink concentrates, protein substances, and soup and broth concentrates for the processing sector. (HS code: 2106).

Wine and Spirits

Unit: USD thousands

Table 5: Total Market Size for Wine and Spirits
	2018	2019	2020	2021 (Estimated)
Total Exports	105,000	107,000	103,000	120,000
Total Imports	443,000	450,000	397,000	466,000
Imports from the US	16,500	15,300	6,500	7,000
Exchange Rates	21.841	22.165	20.754	21.417

Source: Czech Statistical Office; Bureau of Fiscal Service, U.S. Department of the Treasury

Consumption of U.S. wines and spirits is on the rise among Czech consumers. The U.S. is a mainstay in the bourbon market and is seeing its share of wine grow rapidly as the popularity of New World wines expands. (HS codes: 2204, 2208)