surovina

Surovina is a term used in Czech and Slovak to denote a raw material that serves as an input in the production of goods. The singular surovina refers to a basic, unprocessed material such as ore, crude oil, timber, or agricultural crops; the plural suroviny covers multiple materials. In culinary contexts, the word is also used in the plural form suroviny to mean ingredients needed for cooking or baking, for example flour, sugar, eggs, and milk. The two senses share the same root but refer to different domains: industrial inputs versus kitchen ingredients.

In industry and economics, suroviny are classified as inputs that undergo processing to become finished products. They are central to procurement, commodity markets, and supply chains. Suroviny are contrasted with semi-finished products (polotovary) and finished goods. The term encompasses natural resources, agricultural commodities, and industrial feedstocks, and it can cover both raw materials used in manufacturing and basic commodities traded on markets.

Etymology and usage notes: surovina derives from the adjective surový meaning raw or unprocessed, with a suffix that forms a noun for a material. Cognate terms appear in related Slavic languages, reflecting a common concept of unprocessed inputs. In everyday language, speakers may distinguish between suroviny (raw materials or ingredients) in professional or culinary contexts, while everyday menus often emphasize ingredients under suroviny.

See also: potravina, suroviny as ingredients, raw materials in industry.