Beer and brewing products market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The Hungarian beer market by volume expanded from 642.4 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 728.0 thousand tons in 2022, reflecting consistent growth over the first half of the period. After 2022, however, market volume contracted sharply to 618.9 thousand tons in 2023 and stabilized at 616.9 thousand tons in 2024.

In value terms, the market displayed a different pattern: after a decline to 350.0 million US dollars in 2020, it recovered and then jumped notably to 490.5 million US dollars in 2023 despite the lower physical volume. This surge continued into 2024, with the market reaching 505.4 million US dollars, indicating a significant increase in average price or a shift toward higher-value products.

Domestic production of beer fluctuated during the period, falling from 754.4 thousand tons in 2018 to 655.5 thousand tons in 2023 before partially recovering to 684.8 thousand tons in 2024. Imports peaked in 2021 at 275.9 thousand tons but then declined to 207.2 thousand tons in 2024, while exports varied with an increase to 275.0 thousand tons in 2024.

Production beer and brewing products in Hungary

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Hungary's beer and brewing products production rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2021, output reached 349.7 million US dollars, marking a strong year-over-year increase of 11.8%. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 8.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 312.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 13.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Hungary in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

In 2021, Hungary produced 694.1 thousand tonnes of beer and brewing products, a 1.2% increase compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 8%, translating to an annualized rate of 2.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 685.7 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 9.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports beer and brewing products from Hungary

Exports in kind, K t

Hungary's cross-border shipments of beer and brewing products increased after a two-year decline. In 2021, exports totaled 245.7 thousand tonnes, up by 0.8% year-over-year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 26%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 243.8 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 21.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Hungary's exports of beer and brewing products in kind were not heavily concentrated on a few key destinations. Germany accounted for 15.9% of exports, Slovakia for 14.1%, and Italy for 12.6%, with these three countries together representing only 42.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Hungary in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Hungary's volume of beer and brewing products exports increased after a two-year contraction. In 2021, exports amounted to 72.8 million US dollars, showing an intense gain of 33.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 14.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 54.6 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 7.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Hungary in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Hungary's portfolio of buyers for beer and brewing products was broad. Germany contributed 16.4% of exports in value terms, Italy 12.1%, and Romania 11.2%, with these three countries together accounting for only 39.7% of total exports. Many other countries held smaller but non-negligible shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Hungary in value, 2018-2021

Imports beer and brewing products to Hungary

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Hungary's volume of beer and brewing products imports reached 275.9 thousand tonnes, up by 8.0% year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 25.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.8%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 18.8%, while the largest decline occurred in 2020 at 2.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Poland led Hungary's imports in kind with 32.7%, followed by Slovakia at 18.2% and Czechia at 13.9%. Together, these three countries represented 64.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Hungary in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Hungary's imported beer and brewing products volumes increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 103.7 million US dollars, constituting a significant rise of 12.9% from a year earlier. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 31%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Hungary in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, three main markets—Poland, Czechia, and Germany—together absorbed 53.3% of total imports in value terms of beer and brewing products to Hungary.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Hungary in value, 2018-2021