Slovakia’s Economic Profile: Industry, Agriculture & Key Sectors
Slovak Industry: Key Location Factors
Primary Industry Location Factors
- Natural Resources
- Water Supply
- Infrastructure / Transportation
- Energy
- Government Policy
- Skilled Workforce
- Agglomeration (Clustering)
Key Factors for Major Slovak Companies
US Steel Košice Location Factors
- Workforce
- Infrastructure
KIA Žilina Location Factors
- Workforce
- Infrastructure
Slovnaft Bratislava Location Factors
- Transportation
- Water Supply
Major Car Manufacturers and Locations
- KIA: Žilina
- Peugeot: Trnava
- Volkswagen: Bratislava
Metallurgy in Slovakia
Non-Ferrous Metal Production
- Wire Factory: Hlohovec
- Ironworks: Podbrezová
- US Steel: Košice
Slovak Textile Industry Hubs
- Levice: Levitex
- Púchov: Makyta
- Trenčín: Ozeta
Key Slovak Factories and Their Towns
- Mondi: Ružomberok
- Samsung: Galanta
- Ozeta: Trnava
- Continental: Púchov
- Kofola: Rajec
- OSRAM: Nové Zámky
- Sedita: Sereď
Industrial Branches of Major Companies
- Slovnaft: Chemical Refinery
- Continental: Chemical Industry
- Kofola: Food Industry
- RAJO: Food Industry
- Sedita: Food Industry
- Samsung: Mechanical Engineering
- Peugeot: Automotive Industry
Agriculture in Slovakia: Key Insights
Impact of 1989 on Farm Ownership
The year 1989 was crucial due to the widespread privatization of land, fundamentally changing farm ownership structures.
Agriculture’s GDP Contribution vs. Employment
Agriculture contributes a relatively small percentage to GDP (around 3%) but remains a significant employer, particularly in rural areas.
Current Agricultural Land Use in Slovakia
Approximately 59% of land in Slovakia is currently used for farming.
Natural Factors Influencing Slovak Agriculture
- Altitude
- Climate
- Water Availability
- Soil Quality
Social Factors Affecting Slovak Agriculture
- Labor Availability
- Market Economy Dynamics
- Government Policy & Subsidies
- Access to Funds
- Mechanization Levels
Most Cultivated Crops and Their Uses
- Wheat: Foodstuffs, Fodder
- Corn (Maize): Foodstuffs, Fodder, Technical Crop
- Potatoes: Foodstuffs, Fodder
- Barley: Fodder, Cereals, Technical Crop
- Sugar Beet: Technical Crop (Sugar Production)
- Rape (Rapeseed): Technical Crop (Oil Production)
Examples of Harvested Crops by Category
Foodstuffs
- Potatoes
- Corn (Maize)
- Wheat
Fodder Crops
- Wheat
- Potatoes
- Maize
- Clover
Technical Crops
- Corn (Maize)
- Barley
- Rape
Cereals
- Wheat
- Barley
- Oats
- Rye
Geographic Occurrence of Crop Types
- Foodstuffs: Podunajská Lowland, Záhorie
- Fodder: Podunajská Lowland, Záhorie, Orava
- Technical Crops: Podunajská Lowland, Eastern Slovakia
- Cereals: Southern Regions of Slovakia
Key Regions for Livestock Farming
Cattle Breeding
- Orava
- Liptov
- Podunajská Lowland
Sheep Farming
- Liptov
- Orava
- Gemer
- Kysuce
Poultry Farming
- Žilina
- Prešov – Šalgovík
- Cífer
- Ivanka pri Dunaji
Most Reared Farm Animals and Their Uses
- Cattle: Milk, Meat
- Sheep: Meat, Wool
- Poultry: Meat, Eggs
Forestry’s Economic Importance
Forestry is vital for the Slovak economy, contributing to environmental protection, fostering tourism, and supporting the wood processing industry.
Water Management’s Economic Significance
Effective water management is crucial for electricity generation, supporting farming, providing industrial cooling, enabling recreation, and serving the textile industry.
Slovak Industry: Key Facts & Developments
Predominant Industrial Sector
The predominant branch of Slovak industry is Mechanical Engineering.
Coal Mining in Slovakia
The mining of coal in Slovakia concluded in 2023.
Volkswagen Production Plant
Volkswagen operates a car production plant in Bratislava (BA).
Major Nuclear Power Plants
Slovakia’s two main nuclear power plants are situated in Jaslovské Bohunice and Mochovce.
Gabčíkovo Hydropower Plant
The Gabčíkovo hydropower plant stands as one of the largest in Slovakia.
U.S. Steel Košice Operations
The U.S. Steel Košice company processes iron ore sourced from Ukraine.
Magnesite Mining Locations
Magnesite is primarily mined in Jelšava and Lovinobaňa.
Main Oil Refinery
Slovakia’s main oil refinery is located in Bratislava.
Aluminium Production Status
Aluminium production in Slovakia ceased in 2023.
Television Manufacturing Hub
Nižná is recognized as a major manufacturer of televisions in Slovakia.
Footwear Industry Centers
The footwear industry is prominent in the towns of Partizánske and Bardejov.
Paper and Cellulose Production Center
Ružomberok is a major center for paper and cellulose production.
Kofola Production Location
The popular Slovakian beverage brand Kofola is produced in Rajec.
Pharmaceutical Industry Presence
The pharmaceutical industry has a significant presence in cities such as Bratislava, Senec, and Slovenská Ľupča.
Industrial Park in Eastern Slovakia
The Eastern Slovakia region hosts an industrial park in Kechnec.
Post-1989 Industrial Changes
After 1989, Slovakia’s industry underwent significant changes, including a transition to a market economy, widespread privatization, and the closure of numerous businesses.
Importance of Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering is a vital sector in Slovakia, contributing approximately 30% of the country’s industrial production.
Industrial Parks: Definition & Examples
An industrial park is a cluster of companies that share common infrastructure. Notable examples in Slovakia include Nitra and Kechnec.
Historical Iron Ore Mining Regions
- Spiš (including Rožňava, Rudňany)
- Gemer
End of Aluminium Production in Žiar nad Hronom
Aluminium production in Žiar nad Hronom ceased due to a combination of environmental and economic reasons.
Factors Influencing Industry Location
Key factors influencing industrial location in Slovakia include natural resources, workforce availability, transportation infrastructure, and government subsidies.
Industries Benefiting from Natural Resources
Slovakia’s natural resources primarily benefit the metallurgy, mechanical engineering, and food industries.
Government Support for Industrial Development
Government support significantly impacts industrial development through investment incentives, national subsidies, and EU funding.
Major Car Manufacturing Companies
The major car manufacturing companies operating in Slovakia are Volkswagen, PSA Peugeot, and Kia.
Largest Wire Factory Location
The largest wire factory in Slovakia is located in Hlohovec.
Key Paper and Cellulose Production Sites
Key locations for paper and cellulose production include Žilina, Ružomberok, and Harmanec.
Reasons for Coal Mining Cessation
Coal mining in Slovakia ceased primarily due to economic and environmental concerns.
Role of Water Supply in Industry
Water supply is essential for the industrial sector, crucial for cooling, production processes, and material processing.
Energy Sources in Slovak Industry
Slovakia’s industrial sector utilizes various energy types, including nuclear, hydro, and thermal power.
Benefits of Industrial Agglomeration
Industrial agglomeration benefits companies through reduced transport costs and enhanced collaboration opportunities.