Builders’ joinery and carpentry of wood market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Hungarian market for builders' joinery and carpentry of wood experienced notable shifts. Initially, the market was supported by growing demand for premium windows, particularly durable aluminum-wood composite designs, which encouraged technological upgrades among manufacturers. In 2019, the market value increased to $157.0 million, partly because sanitary logging across Europe supplied cheaper, lower-quality timber, reducing raw material costs for domestic production. However, in 2020, the market contracted to $148.0 million as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains, causing material shortages and higher production costs, while a slowdown in residential construction further dampened demand.

Between 2021 and 2025, trade dynamics reflected changing market conditions. Imports jumped to $110.3 million in 2021, and exports surged to $220.9 million, driven largely by state subsidies for housing renovations and public investments that boosted demand for wood products despite rising input costs. The following year, both imports and exports declined slightly as delayed uptake of EU funds, the Russian-Ukrainian war, and higher consumer loan interest rates constrained construction activity and order backlogs. From 2023 onward, imports gradually fell to $83.8 million by 2024 before recovering, while exports stabilized and then grew to $225.4 million in 2025, indicating a gradual market adjustment.

Production builders’ joinery and carpentry of wood in Hungary

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2019, Hungary's output of builders' joinery and carpentry of wood reached its peak at 238.2 million US dollars, marking a 2.7% increase from the previous year. However, in 2020, production declined moderately to 227.2 million US dollars, representing a 4.6% decrease compared to 2019.

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

Exports builders’ joinery and carpentry of wood from Hungary

Exports in kind, t

Hungary's exports of builders' joinery and carpentry of wood have grown for two consecutive years. In 2019, export volume hit its lowest point at 49,834 tonnes, reflecting a 2.1% decline. By 2021, exports surged to 60,325 tonnes, a 17.8% increase year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports rose by 18.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Italy, and Austria were the top buyers of Hungary's builders' joinery and carpentry of wood in terms of volume, accounting for 18.3%, 10.9%, and 10.3% of exports, respectively. Together, they made up 39.6% of total exports, while the rest was distributed among numerous smaller partners.

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

After a two-year decline, Hungary's exports of builders' joinery and carpentry of wood rebounded in value. In 2019, exports saw their largest drop of 2.5%, and by 2020, they reached a low of 164.8 million US dollars. In 2021, export value jumped to 220.9 million US dollars, a 34.1% increase from 2020. Overall, from 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 30%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.1%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Austria, Germany, and Italy were key buyers of Hungary's builders' joinery and carpentry of wood in value terms, contributing 18.3%, 13.4%, and 13.1% of exports, respectively. Their combined share was 44.8% of total export value, with the remaining 55.2% spread across many 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 builders’ joinery and carpentry of wood to Hungary

Imports in kind, t

Hungary's imports of builders' joinery and carpentry of wood in kind showed little change in 2021, totaling 50,646 tonnes, similar to the previous year. In 2019, imports peaked at 52,951 tonnes, a 12.6% increase, but fell by 4.8% in 2020 to their lowest point. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 7.7%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 2.5%.

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

The import structure for builders' joinery and carpentry of wood in kind from 2018 to 2021 was diverse, with Poland, Austria, and Latvia as the leading sources, accounting for 18.8%, 16.5%, and 14.1% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 49.4% of total imports, with no single country dominating the market.

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 imports of builders' joinery and carpentry of wood in value terms have risen for three straight years. In 2021, imports reached 110.3 million US dollars, a sharp 28.8% increase from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 34.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Poland, and Austria were the primary sources for Hungary's imports of builders' joinery and carpentry of wood in value terms, making up 21.3%, 17.7%, and 13.1% of imports, respectively. Combined, they accounted for 52.2% of total import value, serving as the main suppliers.

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

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