Brake fluids and antifreezes market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The Hungarian market for brake fluids and antifreezes began the period with relative stability, reaching 21,533 t in 2019. Industry sources highlighted a growing consumer shift toward convenient, ready-to-use antifreeze products that offer protection down to -35°C without requiring dilution. The hydraulic oils segment remained dominated by established brands like MOGUL and MOL, which utilized high-quality base oils and additives for long-term stability. However, no significant new player entries or large production facility changes were reported during these initial years.

Market volume entered a sustained decline from 2020 onward, falling to 7,088 t by 2023. Available factors for this period indicated a continued focus on product development, such as the use of environmentally friendly and recycled raw materials, and a strong market preference for ready-mixed antifreezes. Despite these product-level trends and the absence of major regulatory shifts, the overall market size contracted sharply, with the most pronounced drop occurring in 2023.

In 2024, the market staged a strong recovery, with volume rising 67% to 11,836 t. This rebound restored a portion of the losses from the previous year, though specific explanatory factors for this turnaround were not detailed in the sources for the later years of the period.

Production brake fluids and antifreezes in Hungary

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Hungary's production of brake fluids and antifreezes rebounded in 2021 after two years of contraction. Output was valued at 18 513 thousand US dollars, marking a 10.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 3.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.2%. The lowest value occurred in 2020 at 16 787 thousand US dollars, following a 3.7% decline in 2019.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Hungary's production of brake fluids and antifreezes declined for the second consecutive year in 2021, with output totaling 20 277 tonnes, a modest 8.7% decrease from 2020. However, over the 2018-2021 period, production increased by 8.7%, averaging 2.8% growth per year. The peak was in 2019 at 22 370 tonnes, driven by a significant 19.9% increase that year.

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

Exports brake fluids and antifreezes from Hungary

Exports in kind, t

Hungary's exports of brake fluids and antifreezes grew for the third consecutive year in 2021, reaching 13 383 tonnes, a 5.9% rise from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports surged by 80.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 21.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Romania, Czechia, and Slovakia were the key destinations for Hungary's brake fluids and antifreezes exports in volume terms. Romania accounted for 67.9% of exports, Czechia for 7.9%, and Slovakia for 6.0%, together making up 81.8% 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, K $ US

Hungary's exports of brake fluids and antifreezes in value terms increased for the third straight year in 2021, totaling 16 650 thousand US dollars, a 14.5% advance from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 68%, with an average annual rate of 18.9%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Romania, Czechia, and Slovakia contributed the most to Hungary's brake fluids and antifreezes exports in value terms. Romania represented 58.7% of exports, Czechia 7.1%, and Slovakia 6.9%, jointly accounting for 72.7% of total 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 brake fluids and antifreezes to Hungary

Imports in kind, t

Hungary's imports of brake fluids and antifreezes in volume terms showed little change in 2021, standing at 10 405 tonnes, similar to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 3.3%, with an average annual rate of 1.1%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 11 415 tonnes, following a 13.4% increase that year, but then declined by 8.9% in 2020.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Czechia, and Belgium were the top suppliers of brake fluids and antifreezes to Hungary in volume terms. Germany accounted for 43.5% of imports, Czechia for 11.6%, and Belgium for 9.4%, together representing 64.6% of total imports.

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 imports of brake fluids and antifreezes in value terms rebounded in 2021 after a two-year decline, reaching 17 811 thousand US dollars, a 22.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 7.7%, with an average annual rate of 2.5%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 14 568 thousand US dollars, following a 10.0% decline that year.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Germany, Belgium, and the United Kingdom were the three principal markets for Hungary's brake fluids and antifreezes imports in value terms, together accounting for 66.1% of total imports.

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

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