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