Ceramic building bricks market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the market for ceramic building bricks in Hungary saw moderate growth, with the market size rising from 89.9 million US dollars to 92.0 million US dollars. This was primarily driven by strong demand for structural building materials, highlighted by a reported 15% increase in fired brick production in 2018. The presence of the global leader Wienerberger Clay Building Materials Europe (CBME) reinforced market activity. However, rising production costs, where energy already accounted for 40-50% of manufacturing expenses, began to exert pressure. The market contracted sharply to 69.9 million US dollars in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which fragmented demand trends and put producers under price hike pressure. A recovery to 87.5 million US dollars followed in 2021, even as a dramatic spike in energy costs—with natural gas prices rising 5-20 times—forced producers into difficult new gas contracts from October, leading to some production halts.

Market value surged to 103.7 million US dollars in 2022, largely fueled by extreme cost-push inflation. Energy's share in production costs reached 30-40%, with gas prices soaring to as high as 300 EUR/MWh, prompting temporary production stoppages. By 2023, high inflation and elevated costs led to a steep fall in demand, causing a 40-50% drop in the turnover of fired bricks and tiles and shrinking the market to 50.1 million US dollars. The market stabilized at 49.1 million US dollars in 2024. Looking ahead to 2025, state subsidies like CSOK Plus and green loan programs are stimulating demand, particularly for energy-efficient and polished bricks, within a market reshaped by recent economic and energy shifts.

Production ceramic building bricks in Hungary

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2019, Hungary's ceramic building bricks production reached its peak value of 91 484 K $ US. This was followed by a sharp decline of 24.7% in 2020, bringing the value down to 68 907 K $ US. However, 2021 saw a significant recovery, with output valued at 86 502 K $ US, marking a 25.5% increase over the previous year.

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

Exports ceramic building bricks from Hungary

Exports in kind, t

Hungary's ceramic building bricks exports have grown for three consecutive years. In 2021, the country exported 50 604 t, reflecting a substantial 25.3% increase compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports rose by 57%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Romania, Austria, and Slovakia were the key destinations for Hungary's ceramic building bricks exports in volume terms. Romania accounted for 50.5% of exports, Austria for 17.3%, and Slovakia for 13.4%. Together, these three countries represented 81.2% 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

The export market for ceramic building bricks from Hungary showed volatility between 2018 and 2021. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point, but by 2021, they had surged to 5 604 K $ US, a 41.8% increase over the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with an 8.2% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2019, at 82.4%. Overall, exports grew 2.4-fold from the trough in 2018 to the peak in 2021.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Romania, Austria, and Slovakia were the leading destinations for Hungary's ceramic building bricks exports in value terms. Romania made up 53.3% of exports, Austria 20.4%, and Slovakia 15.9%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 89.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports ceramic building bricks to Hungary

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Hungary's imports of ceramic building bricks rebounded in 2021. The country imported 47 960 t, up by 30.8% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 17.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.6%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 7.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Serbia, Slovakia, and Croatia were the primary sources for Hungary's ceramic building bricks imports in volume terms. Serbia contributed 46.4% of imports, Slovakia 12.2%, and Croatia 10.6%. Together, these three countries represented 69.3% 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 imports of ceramic building bricks have increased for two consecutive years. In 2021, import value reached 6 636 K $ US, a 33.6% rise over the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 22%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 783 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 12.1%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Serbia, Slovakia, and Czechia remained the main markets for Hungary's ceramic building bricks imports in value terms. Serbia accounted for 24.7% of imports, Slovakia for 19.8%, and Czechia for 16.9%. Collectively, these three countries took 61.5% 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