Factsheet: Slovenian Bioeconomy

Slovenia is among Europe’s most forested countries (58.2% forest cover), dominated by beech (44%), fir-beech (15%) and beech-oak (11%) stands. Natural constraints shape farming: 58% of UAA is grassland and ~¾ of farmland lies in areas with natural limitations. Two-thirds of holdings are livestock-oriented- chiefly cattle for milk or beef - with cattle and fodder crops together accounting for ~45% of agricultural production value; animal products provide 56% overall. Plant output is balanced across arables (~10%), horticulture (~11%), and fruit & wine (~12%). The bioeconomy employed 115,800 people in 2020, concentrated in agriculture (55.4%), food processing (16.1%), wood products (11.2%) and forestry (5.4%). Total value added is €1.05 billion (Eurostat 2022), led by food (22%), bio-based chemicals (21.7%) and agriculture (21.1%), followed by wood products (13.1%), forestry (11%) and paper (<8%).