Beer market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The beer market in Hungary experienced notable fluctuations in volume between 2018 and 2024. After reaching a peak of 748 million liters in 2019, market volume declined to 710 million liters in 2020, then recovered to around 730 million liters in 2021 and 2022. A sharp contraction followed in 2023, with volume dropping to 656 million liters, before a partial rebound to 690 million liters in 2024.

Domestic production showed a gradual downward trend in physical terms, falling from 612 million liters in 2018 to 544 million liters in 2024. Imports initially grew, peaking at 209 million liters in 2021, but then retreated to 163 million liters by 2024. Exports also decreased significantly over the period, from 54 million liters in 2018 to 17 million liters in 2024, contributing to the overall reduction in market volume.

In value terms, the market presented a different picture. Despite lower volumes, the market's value rose from $436 million in 2018 to $536 million in 2024, with a temporary dip to $376 million in 2020. This suggests a shift towards higher-priced beer segments or general price inflation, as production and import values per unit increased.

Production beer in Hungary

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

After two years of decline, beer production in Hungary rebounded in 2021. The output was valued at 346.9 million US dollars, marking a significant 11.9% increase from the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 8.5%, which translates to an annualized decline of 2.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 309.9 million US dollars, with the largest drop of 13.7% also occurring that year.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, M l

Following a two-year decline, Hungary's beer production volume saw a recovery in 2021. The country produced 579.4 million liters of beer, representing a modest 4.1% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production decreased by 5.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.8%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 556.4 million liters, and the largest decline of 6.9% also took place that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, M l

Exports beer from Hungary

Exports in kind, M l

Hungary's beer export volume increased for the second consecutive year in 2021. The country exported 55.9 million liters of beer, showing a modest 9.8% advance from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 4.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 47.6 million liters, which also saw the largest decline of 10.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, M l

Between 2018 and 2021, Slovakia, Czechia, and Croatia formed the core group of markets for Hungary's beer exports in volume terms. Slovakia accounted for 25.8% of exports, Czechia for 21.2%, and Croatia for 17.0%. Together, these three countries represented 64.0% of total export 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, K $ US

Hungary's beer export value increased for the second consecutive year in 2021. Exports reached 23,831 thousand US dollars, which is 18.6% higher than in 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports surged by 40.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 12.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 16,158 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 4.8% also occurring that year. In contrast, the largest increase of 24.4% was recorded in 2020.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Czechia, Slovakia, and Croatia remained the main markets for Hungary's beer exports in value terms. Czechia accounted for 22.7% of exports, Slovakia for 18.4%, and Croatia for 17.9%. Collectively, these three countries represented 59.0% of total export flows.

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 to Hungary

Imports in kind, M l

Hungary's beer import volume increased for the third consecutive year in 2021. Imports amounted to 209.1 million liters, showing a slight 2.0% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 25.7%, which translates to an annualized increase of 7.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, M l

In the 2018-2021 period, Poland, Czechia, and Germany were the leading suppliers of beer to Hungary in volume terms. Poland accounted for 40.5% of imports, Czechia for 17.6%, and Germany for 8.2%. Together, these three countries made up 66.3% of total import 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, K $ US

Hungary's beer import value increased for the third consecutive year in 2021. Imports totaled 85,000 thousand US dollars, representing a strong 10.7% rise over the past year. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 28.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.6%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Poland, Czechia, and Germany were the main sources for Hungary's beer imports in value terms. Poland accounted for 30.0% of imports, Czechia for 16.6%, and Germany for 10.5%. Collectively, these three countries represented 57.1% of total import flows.

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

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