Czech Republic - Agricultural SectorCzech Republic - Agricultural Sector
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, in 2017 Czech consumers continued to be price conscious, taking advantage of promotions; however, they also becoming more aware of health benefits and food safety issues.
Beef
Unit: USD thousands
|
|
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 (Estimated) |
|
Total Exports |
35,300 |
44,400 |
42,800 |
49,000 |
|
Total Imports |
106,000 |
136,000 |
161,000 |
180,000 |
|
Imports from the US |
2,700 |
2,700 |
2,550 |
2,700 |
|
Exchange Rates |
24.203 |
25.045 |
20.884 |
20.158 |
Source: Czech Statistical Office; Bureau of Fiscal Service. Exchange rates: U.S. Treasury Department.
Recently Czech consumers have discovered the tastiness of high-quality U.S. beef which has become a new and very promising prospective U.S. product for the Czech market. In the Czech Republic there is growing demand for fresh or chilled high-quality beef from the U.S. (HS code: 0201), mainly in the hotel and restaurant sectors.
Dried Nuts and Fruits
Unit: USD thousands
|
|
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 (Estimated) |
|
Total Exports |
46,400 |
44,000 |
39,600 |
36,000 |
|
Total Imports |
166,300 |
164,800 |
182,000 |
180,000 |
|
Imports from the US |
26,600 |
19,700 |
21,000 |
21,000 |
|
Exchange Rates |
24.203 |
25.045 |
20.884 |
20.158 |
Source: Czech Statistical Office; Bureau of Fiscal Service. Exchange rates: U.S. Treasury Department.
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
|
|
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 (Estimated) |
|
Total Exports |
123,200 |
159,200 |
178,000 |
162,000 |
|
Total Imports |
192,000 |
220,800 |
248,000 |
265,000 |
|
Imports from the US |
14,000 |
12,300 |
12,100 |
16,000 |
|
Exchange Rates |
24.203 |
25.045 |
20.884 |
20.158 |
Source: Czech Statistical Office; Bureau of Fiscal Service. Exchange rates: U.S. Treasury Department.
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: Alaska pollock, Pacific salmon, hake, scallop, shrimp, and lobster (HS code 03). According to the Czech Statistical Office and Global Trade Atlas data, in the first quarter of 2018, U.S. exports of frozen hake fillets (HS code 030474) almost doubled in both value and quantity compared to the same period in 2017.
Food Preparations
Unit: USD thousands
|
|
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 (Estimated) |
|
Total Exports |
294,000 |
298,000 |
341,500 |
400,000 |
|
Total Imports |
281,000 |
292,900 |
328,000 |
360,000 |
|
Imports from the US |
14,000 |
12,300 |
11,000 |
12,000 |
|
Exchange Rates |
24.203 |
25.045 |
20.884 |
20.158 |
Source: Czech Statistical Office; Bureau of Fiscal Service. Exchange rates: U.S. Treasury Department.
Imported U.S. food preparations include soft drink concentrates, protein substances, and soup and broth concentrates for the processing sector. (HS code: 2106).
Wine and Spirits
Unit: USD thousands
|
|
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 (Estimated) |
|
Total Exports |
95,300 |
87,400 |
98,000 |
95,000 |
|
Total Imports |
310,900 |
330,800 |
384,000 |
400,000 |
|
Imports from the US |
12,300 |
12,300 |
14,500 |
15,000 |
|
Exchange Rates |
24.203 |
25.045 |
20.884 |
20.158 |
Source: Czech Statistical Office; Bureau of Fiscal Service. Exchange rates: U.S. Treasury Department.
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. In March 2018, a very successful Californian wine tasting promotion event was organized by the Foreign Agricultural Service Prague Office and California Wine Institute in cooperation with a major Czech importer (HS codes: 2204 and 2208).