Czech Republic - Country Commercial Guide
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)