Bread market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Hungarian bread market contracted in volume from 609.8 thousand tons to 580.5 thousand tons, while its value fell from 927.7 million dollars to 832.6 million dollars. This decline coincided with rising bread prices, driven by decreasing agricultural product values and higher costs for wheat and flour. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 exacerbated supply chain disruptions and further pushed up prices, contributing to reduced consumption.

Following 2020, bread imports continued to rise, reaching 119.5 thousand tons in 2024, while exports remained relatively stable. Price growth accelerated due to the Russia-Ukraine war, soaring energy costs, and severe drought in Hungary, which elevated raw material expenses. The introduction of a bread price cap and special taxes in 2022 increased producer losses, fueling further retail price increases. Consumers shifted towards higher-quality bread, such as sourdough, but overall bread consumption declined as purchasing power weakened.

Production bread in Hungary

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Hungary's bread production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 704.6 million US dollars, marking a significant 10.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2020 period, production fell by 15.7%, with an annualized decline rate of 5.5%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Hungary ranked 8th globally in bread production.

Top producers of bread, 2018-2021

World map of production of bread, 2018-2021

Hungary's bread production volume declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 520.8 thousand tons of bread, representing a modest 4.4% decrease from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2020, production dropped by 9.1%, with an annualized decline of 3.1%.

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

Exports bread from Hungary

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Hungary's bread exports rebounded in 2021. The country exported 39,156 tons of bread that year, showing a notable 20.1% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 32,615 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 10.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Hungary's bread exports were distributed across a diverse range of partner countries. Romania accounted for 16.8% of export volume, Germany for 11.9%, and Czechia for 11.6%. Together, these three countries represented just 40.3% 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, M $ US

In 2021, Hungary's bread exports reached 99.0 million US dollars, representing a 22.9% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value grew by 16.4%, with an annualized growth rate of 5.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 80.6 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 5.5%.

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

During 2018-2021, Romania, Germany, and Czechia were important buyers of Hungarian bread in value terms. Romania accounted for 16.6% of export value, Germany for 13.7%, and Czechia for 10.2%. However, their combined share reached only 40.6% of total export value, with the remaining 59.4% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Imports bread to Hungary

Imports in kind, t

Hungary's bread import volume increased for the third consecutive year in 2021. The country imported approximately 98,707 tons of bread, showing a modest 7.0% rise compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 32.6%, with an annualized growth rate of 9.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Czechia, and Poland were the largest sources of Hungary's bread imports by volume. Germany accounted for 26.8% of import volume, Czechia for 18.3%, and Poland for 18.1%. Together, these three countries comprised 63.2% 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, M $ US

Hungary's bread import value increased for the third consecutive year in 2021. The country imported 230.2 million US dollars worth of bread, showing a strong 10.4% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value grew by 30.3%, with an annualized growth rate of 9.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Poland, and Czechia remained the principal suppliers of bread to Hungary in value terms. Germany accounted for 28.8% of import value, Poland for 14.7%, and Czechia for 14.4%. Together, these three countries represented 57.9% of total import value.

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

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