Slovak Spirits Industry and its Position on Domestic and International Markets

Abstract

The Slovak spirits industry represents a stable part of the national food and beverage industry. Its position was determined as competitive on the national and international market by national authorities. The manuscript investigates the position of the industry on the domestic and international markets. Quantitative data relating to the number of enterpúrises and employment show positive change within the observed period of time. However, the production was basically on the same level in the last observed year 2018 compared to the year 2018. Our investigation of the domestic market shows a sign of premiumization of spirits produced within the Slovak Republic with a focus on vodka and spirits aromatized with Juniperus. The international trade with Slovak spirits shows decreasing competitiveness among the dominant categories. There were two of three main categories competitive on the European Single market while there was only one competitive category in the last observed year 2018.