THE FOODINDUSTRY & MARKET

IN SLOVENIA

Food Sector / Slovenia| December 2013 _________________________________________________________ 1

THE FOOD INDUSTRY & MARKET IN

SLOVENIA

Food Production & Processing

Food Niche Markets

Distribution Channels

December 2013

Flanders Investment & Trade Ljubljana

Paul Vanoverloop – Flemish Economic Representative

Barbara Čeč – Assistant

December 2013

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 General information on Slovenia's economy ................................................................................... 3

2 A general introduction to Slovenia’s food sector ............................................................................. 4

3 Slovenia’s food production ............................................................................................................... 5

3.1. Agricultural land (survey) ...................................................................................................... 5

3.2. Agricultural production ........................................................................................................ 5

3.3. Production of cereals & meat: self-sufficiency? ................................................................... 5

3.4. Production of milk and cheese ........................................................................................... 11

4 Food processing industry ................................................................................................................ 12

4.1. Beer industry: Pivovarna Laško and Pivovarna Union ........................................................ 12

4.2. Bakery, pasta: Pekarna Vrhnika / Dolenske pekarne (Žito) and Mlinotest ......................... 13

4.3. Chocolates and confectionery: Gorenjka (Žito), Dobnik, Rajska Ptica ................................ 13

4.4. Dairy: Ljubljanske mlekarne, Pomurske mlekarne, Mlekarna Celeia .................................. 13

4.5. Droga Kolinska d.d. ............................................................................................................. 14

4.6. Meat processors: Kras en Panvita MIR d.d. ........................................................................ 14

4.7. Poultry meat processor: Perutnina Ptuj and Pivka Perutninarstvo .................................... 14

4.8. Soft drinks and water: Fructal and Radenska ..................................................................... 14

4.9. Specialised food processors: Etol and Mercator-Emba ...................................................... 15

4.10. Wine producers: 3 main regions Podravje, Posavje and Primorska ................................... 15

4.11. Žito group ........................................................................................................................... 15

5 Niche markets and opportunities ................................................................................................... 15

5.1. Bread and bakery products ................................................................................................. 16

5.2. Milk and dairy products ...................................................................................................... 19

5.3. Meat and meat products .................................................................................................... 20

5.4. Bio-food .............................................................................................................................. 25

5.5. Food ingredients & nutrition supplements......................................................................... 28

5.6. Ready-made meals ............................................................................................................. 31

5.7. Frozen food ......................................................................................................................... 31

5.8. Chocolate and confectionery products ............................................................................... 33

5.9. Specialty beers .................................................................................................................... 37

5.10. Non-alcoholic and soft drinks ............................................................................................. 39

6 Food retail market .......................................................................................................................... 41

6.1. Mercator ............................................................................................................................. 41

6.2. TUŠ and Spar ....................................................................................................................... 41

6.3. Discount retailers ................................................................................................................ 41

6.4. Opportunities for Flemish SME’s ........................................................................................ 41

7 Associations, fairs and useful links ................................................................................................. 43

7.1. Associations ........................................................................................................................ 43

7.2. Trade Fairs .......................................................................................................................... 44

7.3. Useful links .......................................................................................................................... 44

Food Sector / Slovenia| December 2013 _________________________________________________________ 3

1 GENERAL INFORMATION ON SLOVENIA'S ECONOMY

SLOVENIA: MEMBER OF EURO-ZONE SINCE 1/1/2007

Slovenia was part of the Central-European (‘CE’) countries joining the European Union in May

2004 and was the first CE country to join the Euro-zone on 1 January 2007. This joining of the

Euro-zone, which went on quite smoothly, highlights that the country's economy was and still

is the most advanced in Central-Europe. As a matter of fact, Slovenia's wealth is quite well up

to EU-averages: GDP per capita, which is commonly used to measure a nation's wealth, had

reached 90% of the EU-27 average in 2008 (cf. IMAD's overview on page 4) but has slipped

back, in the aftermath of the 2008-2009 financial crisis, to ca 82% of EU-average.

SLOVENIA’S ECONOMY WENT INTO RECESSION FROM 2009 ON

Slovenia’s economy showed a decent growth till mid 2008 when the worldwide financial and

economic crisis started to take its toll. Slovenia's GDP decreased 8% in 2009. GDP growth was

again positive in 2010 and 2011, with +1.4% and 0.6% respectively, but only shortly. In 2012,

Slovenia’s economy dipped again into recession, with a negative GDP growth of 2.5%. The

European Commission published beginning November 2013 its autumn predictions for the EU-

economies. The EC predicts for Slovenia a negative GDP growth in 2013 (- 2.7%) and even still

in 2014 (-1%), when Slovenia will be the only EU-economy, together with Cyprus, to show still

a negative GDP growth. Slovenia’s economy is predicted to grow from 2015 on.

INFLATION AND CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (CPI)

In the period 2004-2006, Slovenia's inflation (end-of-year) remained at a relatively low and

stable level between 2.3% (2005) and 3.2% (2004). Ironically, inflation shot up in the year

2007, when Slovenia joined the Euro-zone, to a level as high as 5.6%. Some observers believe

that this higher inflation in recent years is not only a result of higher economic growth but also

of internal market imperfections (absence of foreign competition). CPI dropped in 2009 to

0.9% in 2009 but then hovered around its normal level of 2.1% in the period 2010-2013 (the

only exception being 2012, when the CPI-index reached 2.8%).

UNEMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR MARKET

In the period 2000-2005, registered unemployment remained stubbornly above the

psychological mark of 10%. Only in 2006, it dropped below this 10% level, so as to drop further

to 7.7% in 2007 and to 4.5% in 2008. In the period 2009-2012, unemployments till remained

under the psychological level of 10%. However, as from 2013 on, the EC expects Slovenia’s

unemployment to exceed the 11% level. Also, one should be aware that in some less

economically developed regions of Slovenia, employment already reached levels of 15%.

FOREIGN TRADE, GROSS DEBT AND BUDGET DEFICIT

Most of Slovenia's foreign trade is with EU (70% of exports and 75% of imports, typically), with

Slovenia usually having a trade deficit. In the first two months of 2009 both exports to and

imports from EU decreased vs. 2008 with 25% and 30% respectively, causing the

export/import ratio to improve to 95% (87% in 2008 Q3). Slovenia's typical external trade

deficit also applies to food products. Due to the economic crisis, Slovenia's budget deficit

4 _____________________________________________________________

worsened from -0,9% in 2008 to -5.5% and -6.5% of GDP in respectively 2009 and 2010.

Another negative result of the 2008-2009 financial crisis is the evolution of Slovenia’s Gross

Debt: it raised from 22.8% in 2008 to 54.41% in 2012, when it still managed to stay under the

Maastricht-norm of 60%. In 2013, Slovenia’s gross debt is expected to come out at 63% and is

expected to raise further to 70% in 2014 and 74% in 2015.

PROSPECTS FOR SLOVENIA’S ECONOMY AS OF END 2013

Mid 2013, Slovenia’s economy is in a deep recession and in serious troubles, even so that the

country was, at one moment, rumored to be a next candidate for an EU-rescue, after the

rescue of Cyprus in the beginning of 2013. Slovenia’s economy is predicted to remain during

2013 in recession, with a negative GDP growth of -2.7% p.a. Unemployment is predicted to

reach 12% for 2013. In the beginning of May 2013, the new Slovenian government (headed

by Ms. Alenka Bratušek) approved an emergency package, including a raise of the VAT-rate

(from 20% to 22%, as from 1 July 2013 on), including wage moderation and the sale of some

state-owned companies such as the carrier Adria, Slovenija Telekom, NKBM (Nova Kreditna

Banka Maribor, the second largest bank). It remains now to be seen how fast the Slovenian

Government is able to sell off the assets. The proceeds from the sell offs are urgently needed

to fill the 2013 budget gap. Otherwise, the budget deficit risks to raise to 8% of GDP by the

end of 2013. The European Commission evaluated the emergency package by end May 2013

and concluded it required additional measures. Slovenia’s Parliament adopted in October

2013 and amended budget for 2014. Beginning of November 2013, the results of the stressed

tests on 8 Slovenian banks became known. The bad news was that Slovenia would require ca

Euro 3 bln to recapitalize its banks. Nova Ljubljanska banka, Nova Kreditna Banka Maribor and

Abanka Vipava, the 3 main banks that are still state-owned, need together a capital injection

of ca Euro 3 bln in total. The good news is that Slovenia is able to recapitalize the financial

sector with its own efforts and does not need external EU-help (ie an EU bailout under the

supervision of the so-called troika). Be it as it may, Slovenia’s economy is, together with

Cyprus’, the only EU-economy which is predicted to show in 2014 a negative GDP growth.

Slovenia’s economy will show positive growth only from 2015 on.

2 A GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO SLOVENIA’S FOOD SECTOR

First, we will have a macro-view on Slovenia’s food sector. In a first step, we will have a closer

look at Slovenia’s food production, thereby quickly analyzing for the main categories (such as

cereals, fruits, dairy products, meat etc) whether Slovenia can sustain its own internal food

demand. If not, there are supply opportunities, i.e. export from Flanders to Slovenia. In a

second step, we will have a look at Slovenia’s food processing industry, so as to check, again,

whether some of the food processing capacities are missing, i.e. whether there are

opportunities for export. In the second half of this study, we give a survey of all food niche

segments where foreign food suppliers may play or are already playing a role. This second

part is concluded by an overview of Slovenia’s food retail market. At the end of this sector

study, you will find an overview of Slovenia’s main food industry associations and of its main

fairs as well as some other useful links.

Food Sector / Slovenia| December 2013 _________________________________________________________ 5

3 SLOVENIA’S FOOD PRODUCTION

3.1. AGRICULTURAL LAND (SURVEY)

Slovenia’s total surface is 2,027 mln ha or ca 20,000 square km (this is ca 2/3 of Belgium and

is comparable to Switzerland). No less than 54% of this total surface is covered by forest, with

Slovenia ranking third in Europe (after Sweden and Finland) in terms of the proportion of

forests in total surface. In 2009 only 468 thd ha or only 23% of the total surface was classified

as “agricultural land”, of which half is located in high-lands or mountains, resulting in

unfavourable conditions for production. Indeed, only 37.4% of this agricultural land is

considered as “arable”, i.e. suitable for growing crops. No less than 57% of the agricultural

land is simply grassland and, as to the proportion of grassland, Slovenia is again ranking third,

with only Switzerland and Ireland having a higher proportion of grassland. Due to

unfavourable conditions (a dense forest cover and high proportion of grassland), Slovenia

struggles with a low proportion of arable land and the agricultural production is rendered

difficult in one way or another in 70% of the agricultural land in Slovenia: these unfavourable

conditions do not prevent agricultural production but make it less competitive (resulting in

higher output prices) and less adaptive (so that it takes much more effort to amend to new

trends in food consumption).

3.2. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

Slovenia’s value of agricultural production amounted to EUR 1,106 mln in 2008, which was ca 3% of its 2008 GDP (in current prices). This agricultural production is roughly split evenly in crop production and in animal output (estimated in 2008 at EUR 530 and EUR 556 mln respectively). This is quite logical: on the one hand thanks to the high proportion of grassland, breeding cattle is very important in the agricultural production; on the other hand, half of the arable land (58% in 2009) is dedicated to the production of crops.

3.3. PRODUCTION OF CEREALS & MEAT: SELF-SUFFICIENCY?

Slovenia’s agricultural production is evenly split out in crop and meat production. So, an

important question is whether Slovenia is self-sufficient in those two main areas. Below is a

survey of the production of cereals and meat, this time in tonnages for the period 2005 – 2011

(incl. 2000, so as to have some reference). It is immediately obvious that, generally speaking,

Slovenia is to a fairly high degree self-sufficient certainly for meat concerns; it was less the

case for cereals but here the situation improved substantially in 2011 (see below):

Table 1: Provisional crop and animal supply balance sheets for calendar year, Slovenia

2000 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Cereals TOTAL

Usable production (1000 t) 493.8 576.3 493.6 531.9 579.6 532.8 568.9 607.8

Domestic use (1000 t) 1,028.3 960.0 986.2 992.8 912.3 965.4 1,020.0 881.8

. Domestic use for human consumption

258.2 248.1 252.1 250.3 241.2 222.1 248.1 242.3

. Domestic use for animal feed

665.2 611.3 631.6 645.8 582.9 667.6 692.9 552.0

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. Domestic use of which for human consumption (%)

25.1 25.8 25.6 25.2 26.4 23.0 24.3 27.5

. Domestic use of which for animal feed (%)

64.7 63.7 64.0 65.0 63.9 69.2 67.9 62.6

Degree of self-sufficiency (%) 48.0 60.0 50.0 53.6 63.5 55.2 55.8 68.9

Human consumption per capita (kg)

129.8 124.0 125.5 124.0 119.2 108.7 121.1 118.1

Meat TOTAL

Gross indigenous production (1000 t)

161.3 172.0 166.7 176.8 177.8 158.3 161.6 155.8

Domestic use (1000 t) 176.2 194.7 189.4 191.2 195.5 191.7 192.3 182.9

. Domestic use for human consumption

176.2 194.7 189.4 191.2 195.5 191.7 192.3 182.9

. Domestic use of which for human consumption (%)

100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Degree of self-sufficiency (%) 91.6 88.4 88.0 92.5 90.9 82.6 84.0 85.1

Human consumption per capita (kg)

88.5 97.3 94.3 94.7 96.6 94.2 93.8 89.1

Source: Statistical Office of Slovenia (Monday, June 11, 2012, First Release)

The degree of self-sufficiency is the domestic demand (or use) divided by the usable domestic

production. For the production of meat (all of which is for human consumption), this degree

of self-sufficiency hovered around the 90% level till 2009 but then dropped to the levels 82-

85% in the period 2009-2011. As far as cereals are concerned, the degree of self-sufficiency is

lower: in the range 50-55% in 2006-2009 but then improved to 69% in 2011. Just by way of

illustration: the degree of self-sufficiency for a basic item like potatoes was only 58% and for

vegetables, it was as low as 36% in 2008.

3.3.1. PRODUCTION OF MEAT AND MILK: A DETAILED LOOK AT LIVESTOCK

On the next four pages, there are more detailed overviews of the livestock numbers for cattle,

pigs, poultry, sheep & goats and the corresponding production of meat and / or milk. Some

conclusions as to the past 3 years: a) the number of livestock animals is fairly stable; b) meat

production (in tones) from slaughtered animals is somewhat down in the period 2009-2012;

c) the net production of cow’s milk was also down in the period 2009-2012. With regard to

pigs, some striking conclusions can be made: a) the number of pig born/raised in Slovenia has

been going down dramatically since 2006; b) at the same time, the number of exported (living)

pigs went up dramatically and has remained since the year 2006 on a relatively high level; as

a result, Slovenia had to import pork meat during the last few years (this cannot been seen

from the table 3.3.3. but is supported by other evidence). The poultry meat production

remains fairly stable over the whole period.

Food Sector / Slovenia| December 2013 _________________________________________________________ 7

3.3.2. MEAT PRODUCTION: CATTLE

Alteration in livestock number and production of meat & milk

Cattle, alteration in livestock number, production of meat and milk, Slovenia, yearly

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2012 2011

Alteration in livestock number

Number of animals, beginning of year

452,517 476,492 479,581 469,983 472,878 470,151 462,300 98.3

Born 165,711 168,696 167,637 165,523 165,885 165,092 163,898 99.3

Import 27,075 24,973 19,347 24,561 23,187 22,976 23,032 100.2

Export 30,509 27,559 32,780 29,978 34,970 38,065 40,823 107.2

Slaughtered 144,859 135,065 131,867 126,401 124,441 125,448 117,450 93.6

Losses 15,902 27,956 31,935 30,810 32,388 32,406 30,894 95.3

Number of animals, end of year

454,033 479,581 469,983 472,878 470,151 462,300 460,063 99.5

Production

Net production of milk (thousand litres)

623,555 647,060 634,643 607,302 586,340 584,069 599,645 102.7

Total indigenous meat production (thousand tons)

76.5 77.8 77.2 74.7 77.6 80.2 77.9 97.1

Meat production from slaughtered animals (thousand tons)

39.4 38.4 37.2 35.6 35.7 35.8 33.5 93.4

Gross indigenous production (thousand tons)

42.2 43.0 44.5 41.0 43.2 44.7 43.5 97.4

Meat from slaughter in slaughterhouses (thousand tons)

37.9 38.1 37.2 35.6 35.7 35.8 33.5 93.4

Source: Statistical Office of Slovenia, Wednesday, May 15, 2013, First Release

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3.3.3. MEAT PRODUCTION: PIGS

Alteration in livestock number, production of meat, Slovenia, yearly

Pigs, alteration in livestock number, production of meat, Slovenia, yearly

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2012 2011

Alteration in livestock number

Number of animals, beginning of year

547,432 575,116 542,591 432,011 415,230 395,593 347,310 87.8

Born 950,331 795,538 670,285 528,766 494,588 415,457 336,465 81.0

Import 20,381 19,009 28,885 66,620 63,038 63,636 71,014 111.6

Export 42,989 67,672 91,363 45,461 26,693 36,692 22,888 62.4

Slaughtered 689,456 639,713 599,231 475,478 469,941 420,074 382,876 91.1

Losses 210,583 139,687 119,156 91,228 80,629 70,610 52,928 75.0

Number of animals, end of year

575,116 542,591 432,011 415,230 395,593 347,310 296,097 85.3

Production

Total indigenous meat production (thousand tons)

83.1 77.7 72.2 57.8 55.3 49.2 42.3 85.8

Meat production from slaughtered animals (thousand tons)

61.2 57.3 54.6 44.1 44.2 39.0 35.6 91.2

Gross indigenous production (thousand tons)

63.1 62.4 61.3 45.3 44.5 40.2 36.0 89.5

Meat from slaughter in slaughterhouses (thousand tons)

33.6 33.2 31.4 24.1 24.9 23.0 21.0 91.6

Source: Statistical Office of Slovenia, Wednesday, May 15, 2013, First Release

Food Sector / Slovenia| December 2013 _________________________________________________________ 9

3.3.4. MEAT PRODUCTION: POULTRY

Production of meat and eggs, Slovenia, yearly

Poultry, production of meat and eggs, Slovenia, yearly

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2012 2011

Production

Number of laying hens (thousand)

1,120 1,338 1,378 1,553 1,504 1,365 1,145 83.9

Eggs (thousand) 263,353 322,411 358,822 360,300 357,086 369,204 322,704 87.4

Total indigenous meat production (thousand tons)

68.8 82.6 83.2 85.3 86.4 82.2 83.7 101.9

Meat production from slaughtered animals (thousand tons)

49.6 59.5 59.9 61.4 62.2 59.2 60.3 101.9

Gross indigenous production (thousand tons)

50.1 59.8 59.9 62.5 63.6 60.9 62.2 102.3

Meat from slaughter in slaughterhouses (thousand tons)

48.1 58.9 58.7 59.5 61.4 58.3 58.7 100.6

Source: Statistical Office of Slovenia, Wednesday, May 15, 2013, First Release

3.3.5. MEAT PRODUCTION: SHEEP

Production of meat, milk and wool, Slovenia, yearly

Sheep, production of meat, milk and wool, Slovenia, yearly

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2012 2011

Production

. Wool (tons) 178 182 190 190 182 163 155 94.8

. Net production of milk (thousand litres) 385 406 457 518 525 594 460 77.4

. Total indigenous meat production (thousand tons)

3.242 3.471 3.406 3.348 3.058 2.649 2.617 98.8

. Meat production from slaughtered animals (thousand tons)

1.634 1.692 1.599 1.667 1.631 1.538 1.405 91.4

. Gross indigenous production (thousand tons)

1.647 1.705 1.611 1,670 1.637 1.538 1.412 91.7

. Meat from slaughter in slaughterhouses (thousand tons)

0.117 0.132 0.122 0.116 0.113 0.115 0.110 95.9

Source: Statistical Office of Slovenia, Wednesday, May 15, 2013, First Release

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3.3.6. MEAT PRODUCTION: GOATS

Production of meat, milk and wool, Slovenia, yearly

Goats, production of meat, milk and wool, Slovenia, yearly

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2012 2011

Production

. Net production of milk (thousand litres) 1,308 1,371 1,494 1,709 1,287 1,090 1,153 105.8

. Total indigenous meat production (thousand tons)

0.857 0.709 0.551 0.960 0.679 0.684 0.591 86.4

. Meat production from slaughtered animals (thousand tons)

0.370 0.386 0.329 0.350 0.396 0.350 0.347 99.2

. Gross indigenous production (thousand tons)

0.370 0.386 0.329 0.350 0.396 0.351 0.351 100.2

. Meat from slaughter in slaughterhouses (thousand tons)

0.001 0.003 0.003 0.003 0.003 0.003 0.005 163.0

Source: Statistical Office of Slovenia, , Wednesday, May 15, 2013, First Release

3.3.7. CONCLUSION

As to Slovenia’s production capacity of cereals and meat, the overall conclusion is that

Slovenia is not really capable to be self-sufficient in many sub-sectors. In those sub-sectors

where Slovenia is self-sufficient, it does not make much sense to compete with local

producers, as the general mind set in a small market, such as Slovenia, is to buy locally, even

though some of these products may be more expensive (milk e.g.).

Food Sector / Slovenia| December 2013 ________________________________________________________ 11

3.4. PRODUCTION OF MILK AND CHEESE

The below tables gives a good survey of Slovenia’s supply side, i.e. what is locally produced as

well as what is imported/exported (table on the next page) for the period 2011 - 2012:

Net production of milk products in Slovene dairies1), Slovenia, 2012

2011 2012

2012 2011

tons indices

PRODUCTION OF FRESH PRODUCTS:

Drinking milk 155,677 151,624 97.4

. whole milk 90,170 94,566 104.9

. semi-skimmed milk 61,675 53,891 87.4

. skimmed milk 3,832 3,167 82.6

Cream; of fat content by weight: 14,211 13,334 93.8

. not exceeding 29% 8,466 7,784 91.9

. over 29% 5,745 5,550 96.6

Acidified milk (yoghurts, drinking yoghurts and other) 33,659 33,915 100.8

. with additives 13,174 13,841 105.1

. without additives 20,484 20,074 98.0

PRODUCTION OF MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS

Powdered dairy products z z 117.1

. cream milk powder, whole milk powder, and partly skimmed-milk powder

z z 60.4

. skimmed-milk powder z z 125.9

Butter and other yellow fat dairy products (spreads) 2,680 2,602 97.1

Cheese 18,657 17,994 96.4

. unripened or uncured (fresh) cheese and curd 5,212 5,360 102.8

. cheese (matured) 13,115 12,252 93.4

. processed (melted) cheese 329 382 116.2

Whey, total (in liquid whey equivalent) 96,374 77,035 79.9

Other milk products 3,700 4,427 119.6

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Import and export of milk and milk products, dairies, Slovenia, 2012

2011 2012

2012 2011

tons indices

IMPORT:

Whole milk in bulk in containers above 2 l (including raw milk) 37,489 34,724 92.6

Whole milk in bulk in containers up to 2 l 2,236 3,324 148.7

Skimmed and semi-skimmed milk 164 142 86.8

Cream 512 500 97.6

Acidified milk (yoghurts, drinking yoghurts and other) 1,673 2,099 125.4

Cheese 578 455 78.7

Butter and dairy spreads 46 44 96.3

Other products (powdered dairy products, concentrated milk, buttermilk whey)

139 397 284.8

EXPORT:

Milk and cream in bulk 21,487 26,925 125.3

Milk (in containers up to 2 l) 69,428 65,574 94.4

Acidified milk (yoghurts, drinking yoghurts and other) 9,805 10,590 108.0

Cheese 3,340 2,705 81.0

Butter (dairy spreads) 468 431 92.1

Powdered dairy products 424 440 104.0

Concentrated milk 0 0 -

Whey 21,507 17,045 79.3

Other products 487 597 122.6

4 FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY

The Slovenian food processing industry is quite extensive and has a relatively long tradition.

Hence, the purpose of this chapter is not to be exhaustive but rather to focus on the main

Slovenian food processors in some important (niche) segments.

4.1. BEER INDUSTRY: PIVOVARNA LAŠKO AND PIVOVARNA UNION

Although Slovenia is admittedly more a wine growing and drinking nation, there is a beer

producing tradition, with two major breweries: Laško, which is the biggest, and Union (based

in Ljubljana). As a matter of fact, the two breweries used to be arch-rivals but were merged in

a LBO-deal end 2004, which led Interbrew to with-draw from its attempt to takeover Union.

The financing of the LBO-deal (around entrepreneur Boško Šrot) came later on into trouble

and, as a result, the shares of the Laško-group ended up in the hands of the financing bank

(NLB) and Mercator-group.

Pivovarna Laško d.d.: http://www.pivo-lasko.si/

Union Pivovarna d.d.: http://www.pivo-union.si/EN/default.asp

Food Sector / Slovenia| December 2013 ________________________________________________________ 13

There are a few private breweries such as Pivovarna Lipnik (www.lipnik.si) and Pivovarna

Kratochwill (www.kratochwill.si) but they are very small and not well known except perhaps

Pivovarna Adam Ravbar (www.pivnica-adamravbar.si). Even these smaller breweries produce

mainly lager or, to a lesser extent, dark beer. Unlike in Belgium/Flanders, the Slovenian beer

industry does not produce specialty or stronger (higher fermentation) beers and, as a result,

there are opportunities for Flemish specialty beers, many of which are already imported and

well known in the Slovenian market. As a matter of fact, the supply of Belgian specialty beers

has been steadily increasing during the past recent years, especially in the capital Ljubljana,

which is also a university city. Most of the Belgian specialty beers on offer in pubs seem,

moreover, to be imported in Slovenia via parallel import, often via Italian wholesalers. So,

there are opportunities for Flemish breweries to sell their specialty beers in Slovenia directly

via a Slovenian importer/distributor.

Perhaps also interesting to know: Laško and Union produce, like their counterparties in

Bavaria or Austria, a so-called Radler, which is a mixture of lager and lemon-lime (Zitronen-

limonade in German) and is quite popular in the (hot) summer time. Laško has even a brand

Bandidos, with mixtures of lager and caiperinha or rum or tequila …

4.2. BAKERY, PASTA: PEKARNA VRHNIKA/DOLENSKE PEKARNE (ŽITO) AND MLINOTEST

The Žito group (http://www.zito.si/index.php?id=329) dominates Slovenian bakery with two

important bakeries: Pekarna Vrhnika and Dolenjske pekarne, which both produce bread and

pastries; 2 other Slovenian bakeries are Klasje Celja (http://www.klasje.si/en/index.php) and

Pekarna Grosuplje (http://www.pekarna-grosuplje.com/) based in Grosuplje, near the capital

city Ljubljana. Pekarna Grosuplje was taken over by the Slovenian retailer Mercator in 2008.

Since then all bread and pastries offered by retailer Mercator is made in-house by their own

bakery Pekarna Grosuplje. Mlinotest Zivilska (http://www.mlinotest.si) is an important

company that produces pasta (for which it is best known), milled and pastry products. Žito

group and Mlinotest together produce 75% of the local pasta and wheat flour and half of the

Slovenian bread production.

4.3. CHOCOLATES AND CONFE CTIONERY: GORENJKA (ŽITO), DOBNIK, RAJSKA PTICA

Confectionery is produced in Slovenia mainly by the Žito group, with their well-known brand

Gorenjka (chocolate and pastries): http://www.zito.si/index.php?id=336. Apart from Žito,

there are still quite a few Slovenian manufacturers of chocolate and confectionery products.

In Ljubljana Rustika (no website) and Benedict are well known. Benedict produces its own

chocolates under the tradename of Cukrcek (http://www.cukrcek.si/en/index.html) but also

distributes chocolates & confectionery. Other chocolate producers outside Ljubljana are

Dobnik (http://www.dobnik.si), Čokoladnica Olimje (http://www.syncerus.si) and Rajska Ptica

čokoladnica (http://www.cokoladnica.si/eng), amongst others.

4.4. DAIRY: LJUBLJANSKE MLEKARNE, POMURSKE MLEKARNE, MLEKARNA CELEIA

Ljubljanske mlekarne (http://www.l-m.si/en/) are the largest dairy in Slovenia. They produce

a broad range of dairy products and have a couple of dominating brands (eg. Alpsko, Mu and

14 ____________________________________________________________

Maxim) in Slovenia. End 2012, the French dairy group Lactalis agreed to take over a majority

stake (owned by Slovenian state funds) in Ljubljanske mlekarne. Lactalis’ takeover bid was

cleared by Slovenia’s antitrust authority in February 2013 and Lactalis then launched a bid for

all the remaining shares. Two other important, be it more regional, Slovenian dairies are

Pomurske mlekarne (http://www.pomurske-mlekarne.si/en/Default.asp) in the North-east of

Slovenia and Mlekarna Celeia (http://en.zelenedoline.si/) near Celje (central Slovenia). An

interesting dairy is Mlekarna Krepko (http://www.mlekarna-krepko.si), which is famous for its

buttermilk (kefir) for which they received an Award from the Brussels-based IQTI in 2009.

4.5. DROGA KOLINSKA D.D.

Droga Kolinska group (http://www.drogakolinska.si/en) was formed in May 2005 after the

merger between Droga (based in Portorož) and Kolinska (based in Ljubljana). The group was

the largest food processor in Slovenia and had a dominant position in the segments of coffee

and soft drinks, where it has two very valuable brands Barcaffe (the number one brand coffee

in Slovenia) and Cockta (a soft drink known also in other ex-Yugoslavia-countries) and

consequently large market shares. It also manufactures other food products like snacks,

spreads and baby food. A majority stake was held by the holding group Istrabenz, which came

into financial troubles in 2009. As a result, Istrabenz announced in the beginning of 2010 its

intention to sell Droga Kolinska and non-binding bids were received. By the end of June 2010,

Istrabenz sold their 95% stake in Droga Kolinska to Croatian Atlantic Grupa, which is a leading

Southeast European producer of sports food (http://www.atlantic.hr/en).

4.6. MEAT PROCESSORS: KRAS EN PANVITA MIR D.D.

Slovenia has two important meat processors, which typically dominate in their region. Kras

(http://www.kras.si/?lng=eng) is based in the Kras-region (Southeast of Sloveniva). Panvita

(http://www.panvita.si/en/vsebina/ave) is based in Gornja Radgona (Northeast of Slovenia

region, also known as “Prekmurje”). Both Kras and Panvita are established brand names in

Slovenia and have a solid market position in Slovenia; both companies export to neighboring

countries Italia (especially Kras), Hungary (especially Panvita) and Croatia (Kras & Panvita).

4.7. POULTRY MEAT PROCESSOR: PERUTNINA PTUJ AND PIVKA PERUTNINARSTVO

Slovenia has two poultry meat processors. Perutnina Ptuj (http://www.perutnina.com/en) is

the largest Slovenian player and operates also in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia.

Pivka Perutninarstvo (or ‘Pivka Poultry’: http://www.pivkap.si/company) is smaller and also a

much more national player, even though it has a subsidiary in Belgrade (Serbia).

4.8. SOFT DRINKS AND WATER: FRUCTAL AND RADENSKA

Slovenia has quite some tradition in the production of soft drinks. Without any doubt, the

most valuable brand is Cockta, a local variant of coca-cola with a long history going back well

into times of Yugoslavia (link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockta).

Food Sector / Slovenia| December 2013 ________________________________________________________ 15

Cockta is well known not only in Slovenia but also in former Yugoslavia-countries such as

Bosnia, Croatia or Serbia. The brand Cockta was bought in 2000 by the Droga Kolinska group

(see paragraph 4.5 above). Another well known Slovenian brand for soft drink is Fructal

(http://www.fructal.si). Fructal, which focuses on fruit juices, was part of the Žito group till

2011, when it was acquired by the Serbian group Nectar (http://www.nectar.rs/eng ).

Radenska (http://www.radenska.si/indexEng.php), which is owned by the Laško brewery, is

the largest Slovenian producer of mineral water.

4.9. SPECIALISED FOOD PROCESSORS: ETOL AND MERCATOR-EMBA

The Slovenian company Etol (http://www.etol.si) produces flavours and additives for a broad

range of food products. Another specialized food producer is Mercator-Emba

(http://www.mercator-emba.si/index.php?id=1&lang=en) producing specialized food

products such as instant drinks or dessert additives; it also processes dry fruits and nuts.

4.10. WINE PRODUCERS: 3 MAIN REGIONS PODRAVJE, POSAVJE AND PRIMORSKA

Having a long history of producing wines, Slovenia has 3 main wine growing areas. Podravje

region in the North is the largest wine growing area. The region is famous for its sparkling

wines from Radgona (site: http://www.radgonske-gorice.si/en/sparkling-wines ) as well as for

its white wines coming from areas around Maribor (Slovenia’s second largest city hosts the

world’s oldest vine), Ptuj (wine cellar Ptujska klet, owned by Perutnina Ptuj, is the oldest wine

cellar in Slovenia) and Ljutomer-Ormoz (with the Jeruzalem-Ormouž cellar:

http://www.jeruzalem-ormoz.com/main/Dobrodosli.aspx ; only in Slovenian). The Posavje

region is the only region that produces more red wine than white one (be it by a small margin)

and focuses on bulk-production. Primorska in the South of Slovenia consists of 3 sub-regions

such as Kras, Vipava and, last but not least, the Goriška brda region (close to Italy) that is

internationally renowned for its quality wines (red and white). One of the most internationally

renowned cellars is Movia: http://www.movia.si/en. Dolenjska is not a main wine growing

region but is locally known for its red wine cviček.

4.11. ŽITO GROUP

ŽITO Prehrambena industrija d.d. (“ŽITO food industry plc.”) is a publicly listed and well

diversified Slovenian group (http://www.zito.si/index.php?id=301) manufacturing a broad

range of food products going from flour/cereal products and bread over pastries to chocolate,

sweets, confectionary as well as coffee/tea and even spices, rice etc. Žito group has some

strong brands in portfolio such as Gorenjka (chocolate).

5 NICHE MARKETS AND OPPORTUNITIES

This chapter tries to describe some recent trends in the Slovenian food market as well as to

indicate whether these trends in some sub-segments equal export opportunities for Flemish

SMEs. One general truth to keep in mind is that, as far as food and drinks are concerned,

Slovenians quite obviously prefer to ‘buy Slovenian’. There are likely two main explanations

for this: a) Slovenia is a very small market (2 mln inhabitants) which is easier prone to

16 ____________________________________________________________

protectionism; b) Slovenia, as one of the most advanced economies, has a respectful tradition

in food manufacturing in the industrial and artisanal way and, hence, a quite decent supply

basis. As a result, it does not make much sense to come with products which are also

manufactured locally (people will buy the local products even if they are sometimes more

expensive) or, put in another way, most of the export opportunities lie in the food niche

segments where the Slovenian supply is on the weak side or simply inexistent such as:

specialty beers, chocolates & confectionery, food ingredients and nutrition supplements, bio-

food, to name a few, or equipment & machines needed in the food processing industry.

5.1. BREAD AND BAKERY PRODUCTS

On the one hand, there are regional industrial bakeries that deliver to the retail chains or some

retail chains (Mercator e.g.) have even their in-house bakeries producing every day fresh

products. On the other hand, Slovenian households, who love natural products, quite often

bake their own bread. A trend here is that more and more households bake their own bread

with modern bread baking devices in-stead of the traditional way (oven). Below is a list of the

main bakeries, some of which also act as distributors for bread & bakery products. These

bakeries can be a target for producers of specialized equipment for bakeries. The list:

DOLENJSKE PEKARNE

Ločna 2

8000 Novo mesto

Tel: +386 7 393 07 42

Fax: +386 7 393 07 75

E-mail: jolanda.zupevec@zito.si

Website: www.zito.si

Contact: Mr Bojan Markovič

DON DON d.o.o.

Laze 16, p.p. 546

4001 Kranj

Tel: +386 4 270 22 10

Fax: +386 4 270 22 13

E-mail: info@dondon.si

Website: www.dondon.si

Contact: Mr Peter Šalamun

KLASJE CELJE d.d.

Resljeva ulica 18

3000 Celje

Tel: +386 3 426 15 01

Fax: +386 3 426 15 11

E-mail: info@klasje.si

Website: www.klasje.si

Contact: Mrs Silva Trstenjak

Food Sector / Slovenia| December 2013 ________________________________________________________ 17

KOROŠKE PEKARNE d.d.

Koroška cesta 2

2370 Dravograd

Tel: +386 2 872 10 00

Fax: +386 2 872 10 16

Contact: Mr Darko Črešnik

E-mail: info@koroske-pekarne.si

Website: www.koroske-pekarne.si

KRUH – PECIVO

Ulica Jožice Flander 2

2000 Maribor

Tel: +386 2 450 32 00

Fax: +386 2 450 32 03

E-mail: irena.kurent@zito.si

Website: www.zito.si

Contact: Mrs Irena Kurent

MLINOPEK d.d.

Industrijska ulica 11

9000 Murska Sobota

Tel: +386 2 534 16 40

Fax: +386 2 534 10 73

E-mail: info@mlinopek.si

Website: www.mlinopek.si

Contact: Mr Karel Pojbič

MLINOTEST d.d.

Tovarniška cesta 14

5270 Ajdovščina

Tel: +386 5 364 45 00

Fax: +386 5 364 46 18

E-mail: nabava@mlinotest.si

Website: www.mlinotest.si

Contact: Mrs Boža Koren

PEKARNA GROSUPLJE

Gasilska 2

1290 Grosuplje

Tel: +386 1 786 69 00

Fax: +386 1 786 42 73

E-mail: tomaz.linec@mercator.si

18 ____________________________________________________________

Website:

http://www.mercator.si/si/znamke/pekarna-

grosuplje/

Contact: Mr Tomaž Linec

PEKARNA PEČJAK d.o.o.

Dolenjska cesta 442

1291 Škofljica

Tel: +386 1 53 04 500

Fax: +386 1 36 01-570

Contact: Mrs Tanja Pečjak

E-mail: tanja@pekarna-pecjak.si

Website: www.pekarna-pecjak.si

PEKARNA PLANIKA d.o.o.

Triglavska cesta 43

4260 Bled

Tel/Fax: +386 4 574 44 65

Contact: Mr Drago Kenda

E-mail: pekarna.planika.bled@siol.net

Website: www.pekarna-planika.si

PEKARNA POSTOJNA

Kolodvorska 5c

6230 Postojna

Tel: +386 5 700 08 15

Fax: +386 5 700 08 20

Contact: Mr Tomaž Čeligoj

E-mail: komerciala@kruhek.si

Website: www.kruhek.si

PEKARNA VRHNIKA

Idrijska 21

1360 Vrhnika

Tel: +386 1 755 89 00

Fax: +386 1 755 30 44

E-mail: tajnistvo-vrhnika@zito.si

Website: www.zito.si

Contact: Mrs Nataša Medved

PTUJSKE PEKARNE IN SLAŠČIČARNE

Rogozniška cesta 2, 2250 Ptuj

Tel: +386 2 748 05 20

Fax: +386 2 776 17 81

Food Sector / Slovenia| December 2013 ________________________________________________________ 19

E-mail: komerciala@p-pekarne-slascicarne.si

Website: www.p-pekarne-slascicarne.si

Contact: Mr Igor Ranfl

ŽITO d.d. Intes

Meljska cesta 19

2000 Maribor

Tel: +386 2 450 32 72

Fax: +386 2 450 32 71

E-mail: igor.lipovnik@zito.si

Website: www.zito.si

Contact: Mr Igor Lipovnik

5.2. MILK AND DAIRY PRODUCTS

This is again a niche market where the Slovenians prefer to “buy Slovenian”, even though low

efficiency in the Slovenian dairy industry results in average output prices which are noticeably

higher than in EU (e.g. milk costs almost double than in Belgium or the Netherlands). The same

goes for other dairy products, as the Slovenian dairies have very often their own cheaper

variants of famous cheeses (like brie, camembert, gorgonzola, etc). As a result, opportunities

seem limited but then, again, the diaries can be an interesting tar-get for producers of

specialized machines or equipment needed in the dairy production.

LJUBLJANSKE MLEKARNE d.d.

Tolstojeva 63

1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 588 15 00

Fax: +386 1 588 18 87

E-mail: info@l-m.si

Website: www.l-m-si

Contact: Mrs Irena Kopitar

POMURSKE MLEKARNE d.d.

Industrijska cesta 10

9000 Murska Sobota

Tel: +386 2 536 12 00

Fax: +386 2 522 13 39

E-mail: info@pomurske-mlekarne.si

Website: www.pomurske-mlekarne.si

Contact: Mr Marjan Horvat

MLEKARNA KREPKO

Kele & Kele d.o.o.

Laze 22a

1370 Logatec

Tel: +386 1 759 01 60

20 ____________________________________________________________

Fax: +386 1 759 01 65

E-mail: info@krepko.si

Website: www.krepko.si

Contact: Mrs Sandra Turnšek

MLEKARNA CELEIA

Arja vas 92

3301 Petrovče

Tel: +386 3 713 38 10

Fax: +386 3 713 38 41

E-mail: info@mlekarna-celeia.si

Website: www.zelenedoline.si

Contact: Mrs Nataša Pirš

MLEKARNA PLANIKA d.o.o.

Gregorčičeva ulica 32

5222 Kobarid

Tel: +386 5 3841 000

Fax: +386 5 3841 020

E-mail: info@mlekarna-planika.si

Website: www.mlekarna-planika.si

Contact: Mrs Anka Lipušček Miklavič

5.3. MEAT AND MEAT PRODUCTS

As noted earlier, Slovenia is relatively well self-sufficient as to the production of meat, with

the exception perhaps of pigs. The reason for this is double: Slovenians eat relatively a lot of

pig meat and some of the pigs that are raised are exported. In Slovenia, the 2 main (industrial)

meat processors are KRAS and PANVITA MIR. Also, it has to be said that Slovenia has a

tradition of excellent meat processing, with hams, salami, prosciutto etc that can compete

with Europe’s best products. In many agricultural areas there still is a wide-spread tradition of

home-made meat products which are often used as means to attract tourists (agro-tourism).

Be it as it may, in this segment of meat products, there are definitely opportunities for Flemish

SMEs. Below is a list of potential distributors of meat (products):

CELJSKE MESNINE d.d.

Cesta v Trnovlje 17

SI-3000 Celje

Tel: +386 34 255 222

Contact: Mr Srečko Kokot

E-mail: info@celjske-mesnine.si

Website: www.celjske-mesnine.si

HOČEVAR d.o.o.

Dolnja Težka Voda7b

Food Sector / Slovenia| December 2013 ________________________________________________________ 21

8000 Novo mesto

Tel: +386 7 30 80 131

Fax: +386 7 30 89 939

E-mail: hocevar-agro@siol.net

Website: www.mesarstvo-hocevar.si

KOŠAKI TMI, d.d

Oreško nabrežje 1

SI-2000 Maribor

Tel: +386 2 23 52 200

Fax: +386 23 52 251

Contact: Mr Danijel Marinič

E-mail: kosaki.tmi@siol.net

Website: www.kosaki.si

KRAS d.d.

Šepulje 31

6210 Sežana

Tel: +386 5 731 03 00

Fax: +386 5 731 03 27

Contact: Mr Pavel Žvab

E-mail: pavel.zvab@kras.si

Website: www.kras.si

MESARIJA ARVAJ

Britof 25

SI-4000 Kranj

Tel: +386 4 280 21 00

Fax: +386 4 280 21 19

Contact: Mrs Ivana Arvaj

E-mail: info@arvaj.com

Website: www.arvaj.si

MESARIJA GREGORC

Golniška cesta 102

SI-4000 Kranj

Tel: +386 4 20 16 600

Fax: +386 4 20 16 607

E-mail: info@mesarijagregorc.com

Website: www.mesarijagregorc.com

MESARIJA GSELMAN

Fram 53a

2313 Fram

Tel: +386 2 601 2301

22 ____________________________________________________________

Contact: Mr Božo Gselman

E-mail: mesarija.gselman@siol.net

Website: www.gselman.com

MESARIJA LEČNIK

Trg svobode 4

2390 Ravne na Koroškem

Tel: +386 2 870 56 50

Fax: +386 2 870 56 52

Contact: Mr Alojz Lečnik

E-mail: mesarija.lecnik@siol.net

Website: http://mesarija.lecnik.net/

MESARIJA MLINARIČ, d.o.o.

Železniška ul.1

SI-4248 Lesce

Tel: +384 4 53 18 332

Fax: +386 4 53 18 872

Contact: Mr Jože Mlinarič

E-mail: info@mlinaric.si

Website: www.mlinaric.si

MESARIJA OBLAK

Loška 1

SI-4266 Žiri

Tel: +386 4 51 05 662

Fax: +386 4 51 05 661

Contact: Mr Janez Oblak

E-mail: info@mesarstvo-oblak.si

Website: www.mesarstvo-oblak.si

MESARSTVO BLATNIK

Selska ulica 46

1291 Škofljica

Tel: +386 1 366 30 80

Fax: +386 1 366 60 08

Contact: Mr Robert Blatnik

E-mail: mesarstvo.blatnik@siol.net

Website: www.mesarstvo-blatnik.si

MESARSTVO BOBIČ

Škocjan 52

8275 Škocjan

Tel: +386 7 3077 670

Fax: +386 7 3077 671

Food Sector / Slovenia| December 2013 ________________________________________________________ 23

Contact: Mr Matej Bobič

E-mail: info@mesarstvo-bobic.si

Website: www.mesarstvo-bobic.si

MESARSTVO FLERIN d.o.o.

Dunajska c. 372

1231 Črnuče

Tel: +386 1 561 28 80

Fax: +386 1 563 53 80

Contact: Mr Jože Flerin

E-mail: info@mesarstvoflerin.si

Website: www.mesarstvoflerin.si

MESARSTVO IGOR BRAČIČ d.o.o.

Ljubljanska c.17

2327 Rače

Tel: +386 30 600 681

Fax: +386 2 609 73 01

E-mail: mib.komerc@gmail.com

Website: www.mesarstvobracic.com

MESARSTVO KODILA

Markišavci 44

9000 Murska Sobota

Tel: +386 2 522 36 00

E-mail: info@mesarstvokodila.si

Website: www.kodila.siTel:

MESNINE DEŽELE KRANJSKE d.d.

Agrokombinatska 63

1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 547 24 02

Fax: +386 1 547 24 02

Contact: Mr Marko Oman

E-mail: marko.oman@mdk.kras.si

Website: www.mesnine-dezele-kranjske.si

MESARIJA STRAŠEK d.o.o.

Stari trg 11

3210 Slovenske Konjice

Tel: +386 3 757 12 46

Contact: Mr Andrej Strašek

E-mail: info@strasek.com

Website: www.strasek.com

24 ____________________________________________________________

MESO IZDELKI ŽERAK

Podlehnik 8

2286 Podlehnik

Tel: +386 2 761 99 40

Fax: +386 2 761 99 42

Contact: Mr Marko Žerak

E-mail: marko.zerak@mesoizdelkizerak.com

Website: www.mesoizdelkizerak.com

MESO KAMNIK d.d.

Korenova c. 9, Podgorje

1241 Kamnik

Tel: +386 1 831 92 40

Fax: +386 1 839 13 70

Contact: Mr Marko Višnar

E-mail: info@meso-kamnik.si

Website: www.ihan.si

Panvita, MIR d.d.

Ljutomerska cesta 28A

9250 G. Radgona

Tel: +386 2 564 91 50

Fax: +386 2 561 17 68

Contact: Mrs Tanja Mulec

E-mail: tanja.mulec@panvita.si

Website: www.panvita.eu

PELOZ d.o.o.

Loke 1A

5000 Nova Gorica

Tel: +386 5 33 50 400

Fax: +386 5 33 50 410

Contact: Mrs Erna Peloz

E-mail: peloz@siol.net

Website: www.peloz.si

PERUTNINA PTUJ d.d.

Potrčeva Cesta 10

SI-2250 Ptuj

Tel: +386 2 749 01 00

Fax: +386 2 74 90 130

Contact: Mrs Vesna Vidrih

E-mail: vesna.vidrih@perutnina.eu

Website: www.perutnina.com

Food Sector / Slovenia| December 2013 ________________________________________________________ 25

PIVKA PERUTNINARSTVO d.d.

Kal 1

SI-6257 Pivka

Tel: +386 5 70 31 000

Fax: +386 5 70 31 001

Contact: Mr Damjan Oblak

E-mail: damjan.oblak@pivkap.si

Website: www.pivkap.si

5.4. BIO-FOOD

Of all Central-European countries that joined the EU in the first and second wave, Slovenia is

the country with the highest purchasing power. On top of that, it must be said that the eco-

awareness amongst Slovenians is quite high. Hence, it is no surprise that there has been a

clear trend to (often more expensive) bio- & eco-food products, like in the rest of Europe.

Below is a list of potential distributors.

BIO SI d.o.o.

Šentjungert 35a

3021 Šmartno v Rožni dolini

Tel: +386 3 620 22 00

Fax: +386 3 620 22 03

E-mail: info@biosi.si

Website: www.biosi.si

BIO-PHARMA d.o.o.

Majde Vrhovnikove 8

1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 505 13 47

Fax: +386 1 515 29 48

E-mail: info@bio-pharma.si

Website: www.bio-pharma.si

BIO SVET, Iris Szilagyi s.p.

Smlednik 118

SI-1216 Smlednik

E-mail: info@biosvet.si

Website: www.biosvet.si

BIOVAN Vanja Flucher s.p.

Pesnica pri Mariboru 47

2211 Pesnica pri Mariboru

Tel: +386 0590 29 548

Fax: +386 0590 29 549

E-mail: info@biovan.si

Website: www.biovan.si, www.bio-trgovina.si

26 ____________________________________________________________

COBIO d.o.o.

Slovenska cesta 29

SI-1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 425 43 27

Fax: +386 1 425 43 28

E-mail: info@cobio.si

Website: www.cobio.si

DENEL d.o.o.

Vodovodna cesta 109

SI-1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 360 27 67

Fax: +386 1 360 27 70

Contact: Mrs Eva Korpar

E-mail: eva.korpar@denel.si

HERBAS BIO

Šmarješke toplice 117

8220 Šmarješke toplice

Tel: +386 40 292 813

E-mail: info@herbas.si

Website: www.creativenature.si

KALČEK d.o.o.

Celovška 228

1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 522 33 582

Fax: +386 1 522 33 497

E-mail: info@kalcek.si

Website: www.kalcek.si

MAGISTRAT INTERNATIONAL d.o.o.

Kotnikova 28

SI-1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 30 84 100

Fax: +386 1 23 02 450

E-mail: info@magistratint.si

Website: www.magistrat.si

MEDIACOR d.o.o.

Obrtniška ulica 9

3240 Šmarje pri Jelšah

Tel: +386 3 817 11 70

Tel/Fax: +386 3 817 11 77

Food Sector / Slovenia| December 2013 ________________________________________________________ 27

E-mail: info@zdravahrana-biotop.si

Website: www.zdravahrana-biotop.si

MEDIUM d.o.o.

Žirovnica 60 c

4274 Žirovnica

Tel: +386 4 580 50 20

E-mail: ekosvet@medium.si

Website: www.ekosvet.net

MITAX d.o.o.

Cimermanova 2

1260 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 4 580 50 20

E-mail: info@mitax.si

Website: www.mitax.si

PREMA d.o.o.

Majorja Lavriča 12

SI-1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 510 11 35

Fax: +386 1 510 11 30

E-mail: info@prema.si

Website: www.prema.si

SFERA d.o.o.

Ob železnici 14

1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 59 21 78 17

Fax: +386 1 520 52 61

E-mail: info@sfera.si

Website: www.sfera.si

SONITAL d.o.o.

Cesta Ljubljanske brigade 9A

SI-1000 Ljubljana-Šentvid

Tel: +386 1 516 15 50

Fax: +386 1 516 15 51

E-mail: info@sonital.si

Website: www.sonital.si

TRGOVINA KLASJE – SIRAH d.o.o. Gradišče 12 6210 Sežana Tel: +386 5 734 10 07 Fax: +386 5 734 51 83

28 ____________________________________________________________

E-mail: info@trgovinaklasje.si Website: www.trgovinaklasje.si UNITEKS ZASTOPSTVA d.o.o. Šmartinska 152 1000 Ljubljana Tel: +386 1 520 10 76 Contact: Mrs Ksenija Gašperšič E-mail: bojana.pogorelcnik@unitex.si VITA CENTER d.o.o.

Pivka 23a

SI-4202 Naklo

Tel: +386 4 25 19 553

Fax: +386 4 25 19 570

E-mail: info@vitacenter.si

Website: www.vitacenter.si

ZIN d.o.o.

Andričeva 12

1108 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 30 919 555

E-mail: info@zin.si

Website: www.zin.si

ŽIVA CENTER d.o.o.

Kurilniška ulica 18

1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 4364671

Fax: +386 1 4364672

E-mail: info@zivacenter.org

Website: www.zivacenter.org

5.5. FOOD INGREDIENTS & NUTRITION SUPPLE MENTS

Another trend has been the increasing use of food ingredients and nutrition supplements,

which are used e.g. in food or drinks for sportsmen. Again, this is to be put into the perspective

of Slovenia’s relatively high purchasing power as well as of the sportive nature of Slovenians.

Below is a list of potential importers/distributors for food ingredients/supplements:

ADRENALIN d.o.o.

Tabor 4

1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 41 500 061

E-mail: info@fit-shop.si

Website: www.fit-shop.si

Food Sector / Slovenia| December 2013 ________________________________________________________ 29

ARICOM d.o.o.

Ulica Sergeja Mašera 34

5222 Kobarid

Tel: +386 5 389 01 09

Fax: +386 5 389 01 09

E-mail: info@aricom.si

Website: www.aricom.si

BODY FIT – Jernej Klemenič s.p.

Pernetova 1

1236 Trzin

Tel: +386 1 56 41 195

Fax: +386 1 56 44 157

E-mail: info@bodyfit.si

Website: www.bodyfit.si

DIFAR d.o.o.

Varda 8

5000 Nova Gorica

Tel/Fax: +386 5 333 15 23

GSM: +386 40 22 99 56

E-mail: marketing@difar.si

Website: www.difar.si

EDITA KLEMEN s.p.

Kolodvorska cesta 32

6230 Postojna

Tel: +386 31 766 789

E-mail: info@bestbodyshop.si

Website: www.bestbodyshop.si

MAXXIMUM SHOP

Parmova 51

1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 436 60 23

E-mail: info@maxximum-shop.com

Website: www.maxximum-shop.com

NutriLAB, d.o.o.

Slovenska 47

1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 438 68 10

Fax: +386 1 438 68 15

E-mail: nutrilab@siol.net

Website: www.nutrilab.si

30 ____________________________________________________________

PROTEINI.SI (ROLNET d.o.o.)

Kranjska cesta 2A

4240 Radovljica

Tel: +386 40 248 248

E-mail: info@proteini.si

Website: www.proteini.si

TGSPORTLIFE

Bežigrad 13

1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 0599 29 203

Fax: +386 0599 29 204

E-mail: info@tgsportlife.com

Website: www.trgsportlife.net

T.H.E. d.o.o.

Obrtna cona Ugar 29

1310 Ribnica

Tel: +386 5 904 09 84

E-mail: info@the-nutrition.com

Website: www.the-nutrition.com

VELMARK d.o.o.

Koroška 33

2000 Maribor

Tel: +386 2 250 81 63

Contact: Mr Marko Veleski

E-mail: velmark@amis.net

Website: www.sportnaprehrana.com

Two Slovenians manufacturers of nutrition supplements are:

FIDIMED d.o.o.

Brodišče 32

1236 Trzin

Tel: +386 1 563 45 20

Fax: +386 1 563 45 30

E-mail: info@fidimed.si

Website: www.fidimed.si

MEDEX d.d.

Linhartova cesta 49 A

1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 475 75 00

Food Sector / Slovenia| December 2013 ________________________________________________________ 31

Fax: +386 1 475 75 22

E-mail: medex@medex.si

Website: www.medex.si

5.6. READY-MADE MEALS

In the past recent years, there has been a trend towards ready-made meals. In Slovenia there

are two important players. Proconi (http://www.proconi.si/en/home) is known also abroad,

as it received 2 awards in 2010 from the Brussels-based International Taste & Quality Institute.

In the beginning of 2008, Proconi concluded a partnership agreement with the French player

Fleury Michon, who is one of the European leaders in pre-cooked food. ETA (http://www.eta-

kamnik.si/eng/eng.php) is the other Slovenian player. The trend has been noticed by retailers,

such as the leading Slovenian retailer Mercator, who started to offer their own ready-made

meals. Given those local players, this may prove a quite difficult niche segment to enter. Below

are the two main Slovenian players:

PROCONI, d.o.o. Staneta Rozmana 16 9000 Murska Sobota Tel: +386 2 530 50 49 Fax: +386 2 530 50 38 E-mail: info@proconi.si Website: www.proconi.si Contact: Mr Boštjan Žerdin ETA KAMNIK d.d. Kajuhova pot 4 1242 Kamnik Tel: + 386 1 830 84 00 Fax: + 386 1 830 84 60 E-mail: tajnistvo@eta-kamnik.si Website: www.eta-kamnik.si Contact: Mrs Mateja Marinček

5.7. FROZEN FOOD

Another trend in Slovenia’s food market is the continuously growing popularity of deep frozen

food products. FrozWebsiteen food exists in all food categories. In the category of pastries,

Žito group (with the Hokus brand: http://www.zito.si/index.php?id=333) and Pekarna Pecjak

(http://www.pekarna-pecjak.si/index.php?PageID=455) are important players. Perutnina

(http://www.perutnina.com/ready_made_products) offers a range of frozen poultry

products. Below is a list of potential distributors (frozen food):

BRUMEC – RUČIGAJ d.o.o.

Testenova 55

SI-1234 Mengeš

Tel: +386 1 530 91 50

Fax: +386 1 530 91 70

32 ____________________________________________________________

E-mail: tajnistvo@brumec-rucigaj.si

Website: www.brumec-rucigaj.si

DIGIT d.o.o.

Žeje pri Komendi 116

SI-1218 Komenda

Tel: +386 1 562 33 70

Fax: +386 1 562 17 99

Contact: Mr Ivan Miklič

E-mail: ivan@digit.si

Website: www.digit.si

ETA Food Industry, d.d.

Kajuhova pot 4

SI-1241 Kamnik

Tel: +386 1 830 84 32

Fax: +386 1 830 84 62

Contact: Mr Marko Konič

E-mail: nabava@eta-kamnik.si

Website: www.eta-kamnik.si

FAMILY FROST d.o.o.

Šmartinska 102

SI-1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 50 04 550

Fax: +386 1 50 04 560

E-mail: info@family-frost.si

Website: www.family-frost.si

KVIBO, d.o.o.

Predilniška 16

SI-4290 Tržič

Tel: +386 4 598 15 21

Fax: +386 4 598 15 13

Contact: Mr Boštjan Meglič

E-mail: bostjan@kvibo.si

Website: www.kvibo.si

LECLERC (RUDNIDIS d.o.o.)

Jurčkova cesta 225

SI–1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 42 04 100

Fax: +386 1 42 04 150

Contact: Mrs Magdalena Klemenšek

E-mail: info@rudnidis.si

Food Sector / Slovenia| December 2013 ________________________________________________________ 33

Website: www.e-leclerc.si

MERCATOR d.d.

Dunajska cesta 107

SI–1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 56 01 000

Fax: +386 1 568 23 90

Contact: Ms Tanja Savenc-Klinc

E-mail: tanja.savenc@mercator.si

Website: www.mercator.si

SPAR Slovenija d.o.o.

Letališka 26

SI-1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 5844 400

Fax: +386 1 5844 401

Website: www.spar.si

Contact: Ms Nadja Železnik (nadja.zeleznik@spar.si)

VIGROS d.o.o.

Puconci 10

SI-9201 Puconci

Tel: +386 2 536 10 70

Fax: +386 2 536 10 71

Contact: Mr Viljem Šiftar

E-mail: info@vigros.si

Website: www.vigros.si

ŽITO d.d.

Šmartinska cesta 154

1529 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 5876 100

Contact: Mrs Andreja Vidic

E-mail: andreja.vidic@zito.si

Website: www.zito.si

5.8. CHOCOLATE AND CONFECTIONERY PRODUCTS

Needless to say that Belgian and Flemish chocolate and confectionery products enjoy a very

strong reputation also in Slovenia. The main Belgian/Flemish brands are being distributed on

the Slovenian market already since many years and can be bought in all main retailers. Thanks

to the strong brand image and reputation, they can withstand without problem the

predominance of the local brand Gorenjka (Žito group). Below is a list of potential importers

and distributors for chocolate and confectionery products:

34 ____________________________________________________________

BARON COMPANY d.o.o.

Sernčeva ulica 010

3000 Celje

Tel: +386 3 491 47 60

Fax: +386 3 541 18 33

Contact: Mrs Polona Koren

E-mail: polona.koren@barom-com.si

Website: www.baron-com.si

BENEDICT d.o.o.

Mestni trg 11

1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 421 04 53

Fax: +386 1 421 04 54

Contact: Mr Luka Fojkar

E-mail: info@benedict.si

Website: www.cukrcek.si

BIMO d.o.o.

Gorenjesavska c. 48

4000 Kranj

Tel: +386 4 231 14 22

Fax: +386 4 231 98 74

Contact: Mr Albin Kern

E-mail: bimo@bimo.si

Website: www.bimo.si

DENEL d.o.o.

Vodovodna cesta 109

SI-1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 360 27 67

Fax: +386 1 360 27 70

Contact: Mrs Eva Korpar

E-mail: eva.korpar@denel.si

DROP SHOP d.o.o.

Mrharjeva 8

SI-1210 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 41 463 019

Fax: +386 1 512 64 89

Contact: Mr Dejan Tomažin

E-mail: info@drop-shop.si

Website: www.drop-shop.si

Food Sector / Slovenia| December 2013 ________________________________________________________ 35

EUROWEST d.o.o.

Žaucerjeva 20

SI-1125 Ljubljana

Tel/fax: +386 1 25 73 670

E-mail: eurowest@siol.net

Website: www.eurowest.si

Contact: Mr Veljko Kozjak

GAUS d.o.o.

Parmova 53

1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 41 667 037

Fax: +386 4 537 82 38

Contact: Mr Tomaž Eržen

E-mail: info@gaus.si

Website: www.gaus.si

INTEREXPORT d.o.o.

Potok pri Komendi 12

1218 Komenda

Tel: +386 1 834 44 00

Fax: +386 1 834 44 55

Contact: Mr Brane Hren

E-mail: info@interexport.si

Website: www.interexport.si

KZ METLIKA z.o.o.

Cesta XV. brigade 2

8330 Metlika

Tel.: +386 7 363 70 00

Fax: +386 7 363 70 11

Contact: Mrs Darja Pezdirnik

E-mail: darja.pezdirnik@kz-metlika.si

Website: www.kz-metlika.si

MAGISTRAT INTERNATIONAL, d.d.

Kotnikova ulica 28

1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 308 41 00

Fax: +386 1 230 24 50

Contact: Mrs Barbara Doljak

E-mail: info@magistrat.si

Website: www.magistrat.si

36 ____________________________________________________________

MERIT INTERNATIONAL d.o.o.

Letališka cesta 3C

1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 548 36 20

Fax: +386 1 544 25 22

Contact: Mr. Igor Černčec

E-mail: info@merit-international.si

Website: www.merit-international.si

MS KOMUNIKACIJA, d.o.o.

Kosovelova ulica 16

SI-3000 Celje

Tel: +386 3 544 24 40 Fax: +386 3 544 24 41 Contact: Mrs Mastnak Renata

E-mail: ms.komunikacija@siol.net ORBICO d.o.o.

Brnčičeva 31

1231 Ljubljana-Črnuče

Tel: +386 1 588 68 00

Fax: +386 1 588 69 00

Contact: Mrs Alenka Šuštar

E-mail: orbico@orbico.si

Website: www.orbico.si

STORCK d.o.o.

Brdnikova ul. 44

1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 244 37 50

Fax: +386 1 244 37 70

Contact: Mrs Špela Fečur

E-mail: info@si.storck.com

Website: www.storck.si

TIM TRADE

Kidričeva 6

3310 Žalec

Tel: +386 41 445 695

Fax: +386 3 571 55 83

Contact: Mrs Tadeja Pustoslemšek

E-mail: tadejap@triera.net

ŽITO GORENJKA d.d.

Rožna dolina 8

Food Sector / Slovenia| December 2013 ________________________________________________________ 37

4248 Lesce

Tel: +386 4 535 32 00

Fax: +386 4 535 32 72

E-mail: gorenjka@zito.si

Website: www.gorenjka.si

Contact: Mr Peter Gašperin

5.9. SPECIALTY BEERS

Slovenia is admittedly a small market (2 mln inhabitants) but its relatively high purchasing

power per capita makes it an interesting market for specialty beers, which are usually (quite

a bit) more expensive. As a result, quite a lot of Flemish specialty beers (like Duvel,

Grimbergen, Leffe, Delirium, etc.) are already for some years on the Slovenian market, where

they can be bought at the larger retailers (Leclerc and Mercator e.g.) or even consumed in

pubs in the larger cities. Some breweries have their own (exclusive) distributor on the market.

Below is a list of potential distributors:

BELMONT d.o.o.

Nadgoriška cesta 8

1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 40 333 397

Fax: +386 1 561 28 95

E-mail: marketing@champagne.si

Website: www.sampanjec.si

DAVIDOV HRAM d.o.o.

Loke 37

3333 Ljubno ob Savinji

Tel: +386 3 839 35 00

Fax: +386 3 839 35 07

Contact: Mr.Dušan Žehelj

E-mail: info@davidovhram.si

Website: www.davidovhram.si

HIŠA DVC-Merit International d.o.o.

Letališka 3c

1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 548 36 63

Fax: +386 1 544 25 22

E-mail: hisa.dvc@merit-international.si

Website: www.eshop.dvc-plus.si

GAMA TRGOVINA d.o.o.

Blatnica 1

1236 Trzin

Tel: +386 1 56 37 465

38 ____________________________________________________________

Fax: +386 1 56 37 466

Contact: Mr Bojan Vohar

E-mail: info@gama.si

Website: www.gama.si

G3 SPIRITS d.o.o.

Tacenska cesta 20

1210 Ljubljana-Šentvid

Tel: +386 1 512 60 52

Fax: +386 1 512 60 56

E-mail: info@g3spirits.com

Website: www.g3spirits.com

INTERŠTIRN doo

Breg ob Savi 47

4211 Mavčiče

Tel: +386 4 2355 455

Fax: +386 4 2355 450

Contact: Mr Janez Štirn

E-mail: info@interstirn.si

Website: www.interstirn.si

KZ METLIKA z.o.o.

Cesta XV. brigade 2

8330 Metlika

Tel: +386 7 363 70 00

Fax: +386 7 36 37 011

E-mail: info@kz-metlika.si

Website: http://www.kz-metlika.si/

Contact: Mrs Darja Pezdirnik

MABAT INT. d.o.o.

Kapele 2

8258 Kapele

Tel: +386 7 4523 100

Fax: +386 7 4523 111

Contact: Mr Jožef Prosevc

E-mail: mabat@siol.net

Website: www.mabat-int

PAULI doo.

Triglavska cesta 12

4264 Bohinjska Bistrica

Tel: +386 4 57 47 080

Fax: +386 4 57 47 081

Food Sector / Slovenia| December 2013 ________________________________________________________ 39

E-mail: info.pauli@paulaner.si

Website: www.paulaner.si

PROVIN d.o.o.

Ulica Gubčeve brigade 56

1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 568 1619

Fax: +386 1 568 2618

E-mail: info@provin.si

Website: http://www.provin.si

STOCK TRADE d.o.o.

Železna cesta 16

1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 234 4680

Fax: +386 1 234 4690

Contact: Mr Ivan Grm

E-mail: info@stock.si

Website: www.stock.si

5.10. NON-ALCOHOLIC AND SOFT DRINKS

Slovenia’s non-alcoholic drinks sector is quite well developed with some important local

brands (e.g. Cockta) and several producers of fruit juices (Dana, Fructal, Matica) or of water

(Dana, Radenska). As a result, this niche segment seems more difficult to enter. Below is a list

of the main local players and of potential importers/distributors:

COCA COLA HBC SLOVENIJA

Motnica 9

1236 Trzin

Tel: +386 1 589 04 00

Fax: +386 1 589 04 75

E-mail: info@cchellenic.com

Website: www.coca-cola.si

DANA, d.d.

Glavna cesta 34

8233 Mirna

Tel: +387 7 346 22 00

Fax: +387 7 346 22 10

Contact: Mrs Petra Matjašič Nader

E-mail: petra.nader@dana.si

Website: www.dana.si

FRUCTAL d.d.

Tovarniška 7

40 ____________________________________________________________

5270 Ajdovščina

Tel: +386 5 3691 000

Fax: +386 5 36 91 810

Contact: Mr Branko Tomažič

E-mail: branko.tomazic@fructal.si

Website: www.fructal.si

MATICA d.o.o.

Pesnica pri Mariboru 70/d

2211 Pesnica pri Mariboru

Tel: +386 2 653 20 51

Fax: +386 2 653 20 50

Contact: Mr Franc Račel

E-mail: info@matica.si

Website: www.matica.si

OPOJ SOKOVI d.o.o.

Suhadole 49a

1218 Komenda

Tel: +386 1 724 03 00

Fax: +386 1 724 03 13

Contact: Mrs Marta Vidmar

E-mail: info@nektar.eu

Website: www.nektar.eu

PRESAD d.o.o.

Pod Radovnico 3

SI-8233 Mirna

Tel: +386 7 34 81 200

Fax: +386 7 34 81 230

Contact: Mr Marcel Verstovšek

E-mail: info@presad.si

Website: www.presad.si

RADENSKA, d.d., RADENCI

Boračeva 37

9502 Radenci

Tel: +386 2 520 20 20

Fax: +386 2 520 10 24

E-mail: radenska@radenska.si

Website: www.radenska.si

ROISS DVA d.o.o.

Red Bull office

Leskoskova 2

Food Sector / Slovenia| December 2013 ________________________________________________________ 41

1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 584 33 10

Fax: +386 1 584 33 15

E-mail: barbara.pozenel@redbull.si

6 FOOD RETAIL MARKET

The Slovenian food retail market is consolidated and highly concentrated, with the top five

retailers accounting for around 75 - 80% of the market. The Slovenian food retail market is

shaped by a mixture of domestic and West-European retailers.

6.1. MERCATOR

The Slovenian group Mercator is the biggest player on the food retail market. It used to have

a market share of around 45% but that has been dented by the entrance of discounters. As a

result, Mercator’s share of the retail market has shrinked to ca. 30-35%. Mercator’s outlets

range from the smaller neighbourhood outlets (often leased) to super- & hypermarkets.

Importantly, Mercator also expanded in former Yugoslavian countries (Bosnia-Herzegovina,

Croatia and Serbia). Mercator has the ambition to become a leading retailer in Southeast

Europe: it has already opened supermarkets in Albania & Bulgaria (in 2009) and it plans to

enter FYR Macedonia and Kosovo (by 2012). Mid 2013, Mercator’s shareholders undertook a

new attempt to sell the company, as it already happened a couple of times in the recent past.

Like before, the Croation food concern Agrokor won again the tender procedure with the best

bid. As of end 2013, Agrokor’s bid was not yet cleared by Slovenian authorities and it was

unclear whether Agrokor would be able to acquire Slovenian retailer Mercator or not.

6.2. TUŠ AND SPAR

The Slovenian group TUŠ and Spar are the numbers two in the market, with each having an

approx. 15% share of the retail market. Spar Slovenija is a subsidiary of the Austria-based

ASPIAG (Austria SPAR International AG, which has subsidiaries in CEE). Both are interesting

targets to approach, even though some decisions at Spar are not taken locally but either in

Austria or in the Netherlands.

6.3. DISCOUNT RETAILERS

From the above-mentioned market shares, it appears that Mercator, Spar and TUŠ have

together a ca 65% share of the Slovenian retail market. The remaining 35% is shared amongst

discount retailers such as Hofer (= Aldi) and Lidl (both German) and the French Leclerc (which

has a hypermarket in Ljubljana and in Maribor). Last, it is of note that the Mercator group has

their own local discount store Hura!

6.4. OPPORTUNITIES FOR FLEMISH SME ’S

Amongst these retailers, the two most interesting are the two Slovenian retailers TUŠ and

Mercator, even though they are not easy to be approached. Both have centralised purchasing

departments where product group managers are responsible for the purchase of specific food

42 ____________________________________________________________

product categories. Generally these two Slovenian retailers prefer to buy Slovenian food

products, as these are often preferred by their customers. So, the challenge is to approach

them with specific as well as quality products.

Here follows a list of the main contact persons per segment of the 3 main retails chains

(Mercator, TUŠ and Spar) as well as of the 3 discounters Leclerc, Hofer (Aldi-group) and Lidl.

However, it should be noted that there is often a high turnover of personnel with these

retailers or discounters. Hence, it is always advisable to contact FIT Ljubljana, which will be

happy to assist you in setting up a business meeting with one of the purchase managers of

these retailers and/or discounters in Slovenia.

MERCATOR d.d.

Dunajska cesta 107

SI–1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 56 01 000

Fax: +386 1 568 23 90

E-mail: info@mercator.si

Website: www.mercator.si

Contacts:

Mrs Nives Rudolf (non-food market program), e-mail: nives.rudolf@mercator.si

Mrs Manja Stržinar (fresh food market program), e-mail: manja.strzinar@mercator.si

Mrs Tanja SAVENC-KLINC (frozen food), e-mail: tanja.savenc@mercator.si

Mrs Romana Kramar (Managing Director of Modiana – Mercator’s fashion department)

E-mail: romana.kramar@modiana.si

ENGROTUŠ d.o.o.

Cesta v Trnovlje 10a

SI-3000 Celje

Tel: +386 597 33 000

Fax: +386 597 33 045

E-mail: info@tus.si

Web: www.tus.si

Contacts:

Mr Mitja Rampre (fresh food market program), e-mail: mitja.rampre@tus.si

Mr Erik HANUŠ (non-food market program), e-mail: erik.hanus@tus.si

Mrs Jelka Sovinc (frozen food), e-mail: jelka.sovinc@tus.si

SPAR SLOVENIJA d.o.o.

Letališka 26

SI–1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 5844 400

Fax: +386 1 5844 401

E-mail: info@spar.si

Food Sector / Slovenia| December 2013 ________________________________________________________ 43

Website: www.spar.si

Contacts:

Mrs Sonja Petkovšek (food market program), e-mail: sonja.petkovsek@spar.si

Mrs Bernarda Pavlič (non-food market program), e-mail: bernarda.pavlic@spar.si

Mrs Janja Štular (marketing), e-mail: janja.stular@spar.si

Mrs Nadja Železnik (frozen food), e-mail: nadja.zeleznik@spar.si

Mrs Katja Gorup (textile), e-mail: katja.gorup@spar.si

E. LECLERC (Rudnidis d.o.o.)

Jurčkova cesta 225

SI–1000 Ljubljana

Tel: +386 1 42 04 100

Fax: +386 1 42 04 150

Website: www.e-leclerc.si

E-mail: info@rudnidis.si

Contact:

Mrs Nataša Božič (food market program), e-mail: nbozic@rudnidis.si

Mr Robert Kunstek (textile), e-mail: rkunstek@rudnidis.si

HOFER TRGOVINA (ALDI)

Kranjska cesta 1

SI-1225 Lukovica

Tel: +386 1 834 66 00

Fax: +386 1 834 66 28

Website: www.hofer.si

E-mail: centralna-nabava1@hofer.si

LIDL d.o.o.

Žeje pri Komendi 100

SI-1218 Komenda

Tel: +386 1 729 74 00

Fax: +386 1 729 74 01

E-mail: uprava@lidl.si

Website: www.lidl.si

7 ASSOCIATIONS, FAIRS AND USEFUL LINKS

7.1. ASSOCIATIONS

Gospodarska zbornica Slovinje (“GZS” the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce) has a so-called

branch organisation called Zbornica kmetijskih in živilskih podjetij (ZKŽP), or Chamber of

Agriculture and Food Enterprises.

Dimičeva 9, Ljubljana

44 ____________________________________________________________

Tel: + 386 15 686 704

E-mail: zivilska.ind@gzs.si

Website: http://www.gzs.si/slo/panoge/zbornica_kmetijskih_in_zivilskih_podjetij

This GZS branch organisation ZKŽP also co-ordinates the Slovenian Technological Platform Food for Life (“STP Hrana za živilenje”, which is part of the European Technological Platform Food for Life).

Contact person: Mrs Petra Medved

E-mail: petra.medved@gzs.si

More info on STP can be found here:

www.fabnet.agrif.bg.ac.rs/prezentacije/beograd2/11.%20Petra_Medved.ppt

(PPT-presentation of ETP-seminar in Belgrade, January 2008). The STP was officially launched

end September 2007. Website: http://www.stp-hrana.si/.

7.2. TRADE FAIRS

In Slovenia, there are two yearly food trade fairs. The biggest trade fair is AGRA, organised by

Pomurski sejem, in Gornja Radgona usually end of August – beginning of September. The fair

is dedicated to agriculture and food products & processing. In the beginning of the year,

usually in the beginning of February, a smaller Fair of Tastes, known formerly as GASTexpo, is

held in Ljubljana Exhibition Centre. Fair of Tastes or GASTexpo is dedicated to HoReCa

(including catering), bakery & confectionery, ice cream and gastronomy, in general.

AGRA fair: http://www.pomurski-sejem.si/ang-kzs/kzs.htm

Note: every two years (2008, 2010, 2012 etc) part of AGRA is dedicated to the food

packaging industry (that part of the fair is called INPAK).

GASTexpo: http://www.gast.si/default.asp?mid=en

The next fair GASTexpo, now relabeled as “Fairs of Tastes”, will take place from 29/01/2014

till 01/02/2014 in Ljubljana Exhibition Centre (Gospodarsko razstavišče, in Slovenian).

7.3. USEFUL LINKS

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food: http://www.mkgp.gov.si/en/

On this site, information can be found on the following topics:

Info on Agriculture:

http://www.mkgp.gov.si/en/areas_of_work/agriculture/

Info on Food Safety:

http://www.mkgp.gov.si/en/areas_of_work/food_safety/

Info on Legislation:

http://www.mkgp.gov.si/en/legislation_and_documents/

Food Sector / Slovenia| December 2013 ________________________________________________________ 45

Ministry’s Bodies (Phytosanitary & Veterinary Administration oa)

http://www.mkgp.gov.si/en/bodies_of_the_ministry/

Statistical Office RS, statistical data on agriculture and fishing:

http://www.stat.si/eng/tema_okolje_kmetijstvo.asp

SLOVENE Legislation - Plant Protection Products

http://www.furs.si/law/slo/ffs/Index_EN.asp

SLOVENE Legislation - Mineral Fertilizers

http://www.furs.si/law/slo/ffs/gnojila_EN.asp

The information in this publication is provided for background information that should enable you to get a picture of the subject treated in this document. It is collected with the greatest care on the bases of all data and documentation available at the moment of publication. Thus this publication was never intended to be the perfect and correct answer to your specific situation. Consequently it can never be considered a legal, financial or other specialized advice. Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) accepts no liability for any errors, omissions or incompleteness’s, and no warranty is given or responsibility accepted as to the standing of any individual, firm, company or other organization mentioned