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No new coronavirus infection for the first time in two months
No New Cases; Less Demand for Bread, Meat
No new coronavirus infection for the first time in two months
STA, 3 May 2020 - No new infection was recorded in Slovenia on Saturday for the first time in two months, government data show. After 500 additional tests, the total number of infections confirmed so far thus remains at 1,439. Two people died of Covid-19 yesterday, putting the death toll at 96. Fifty-nine Covid-19 patients were in hospital yesterday.
The first coronavirus infection was confirmed in Slovenia on 4 March. The number of infections grew in the next few days and in the weeks that followed dozens of new infections were recorded every day. In the past week, between 5 and 11 new infections were recorded every day.
Saturday is the first day since 4 March when no new infection was recorded.
The number of Covid-19 patients in hospitals has also been decreasing, standing at around 60 in the last three weeks. On Saturday, their number stood at 59, one fewer than the day before. 21 patients remain in intensive care.
In Slovenia, 55,520 tests have been conducted so far, confirming 1,439 infections.
Weaker demand for bread and meat due to Covid-19 epidemic
STA, 3 May 2020 - In the wake of the coronavirus epidemic, demand for meat as well as fresh bread and pastries has decreased in Slovenia. The country's food industries saw a spike in demand in March after the epidemic was declared, with people hoarding supplies, but in April the situation saw a downturn in the consumption.
The closure of schools, kindergartens and restaurants, introduced to stem the Covid-19 spread, has led to repercussions for the meat industry since those institutions and venues are its main buyers.
Some workers had to be temporarily laid off or they have taken a leave from work amid cutting down on production.
Peter Polanič, the chairman of food group Panvita, told the STA that the company had to step up its production in March, only to then reduce it in April.
Purchases by public institutions account for roughly 3% of Panvita sales, which is not insignificant when transformed into figures, said Polanič, adding that he expected additional fallout due to a weaker tourist season and less public events.
The group, which includes Panvita Mesnine, the leading firm in the group's meat division, expects to resume normal work schedules next week since the season of picnics is about to start, according to Polanič.
Meanwhile, poultry group Perutnina Ptuj has been dealing with decreased demand as well, with the exception of prepared meats and ready meals.
Pivka Delamaris, one of the main brands of poultry group Pivka Perutninarstvo, has been experiencing issues with meat exports, most notably to Italy, Austria and Croatia.
The impact of the epidemic has hit the bread industry as well, with the deliveries by the country's largest bread and pasta maker Žito cut by half compared to the same period last year.
Žito is supplying its products to public institutions and restaurants - a major share of its sales, nearly 20%, has been hence cancelled in the wake of the lockdown.
Moreover, the sales of fresh bread products have been slashed by 30%. Daily purchases of bread are currently considered a thing of the past, with people frequenting Žito shops only once per week or every ten days.
The company has partly adapted its operations to the extreme circumstances by launching some of its most popular products in a packaged form which keeps them fresh longer and providing home deliveries via its online shop. In May, Žito will also make frozen bread available.
Due to decreased demand, the company has been rationalising production as well as dealing with labour surplus by striving to avoid any layoffs. However, some workers have been put on furlough for the time being and the number of hired staff has been reduced.
Meanwhile, baking group Don Don has told the STA that it has been delivering less bread and pastries as well - down by some 35% - due to introducing additional preventive measures in production and a drop in demand.
Don Don clients are mostly grocery shops, however lockdown measures resulting in teleworking and remote learning have affected the company's sales of sandwiches as well as sweet and savoury pastries. The company has meanwhile responded to the changed circumstances by launching part baked bread.
A part of the workforce have been furloughed, while some employees have been made redundant since the company has estimated that a drop in sales will continue for at least six more months.
