Cotton yarn excluding sewing thread market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the cotton yarn market in Hungary remained relatively stable, with volumes hovering around 2 400 t. In 2019, domestic production capacity shrank due to high labor costs and limited local raw material production, reducing output. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused temporary stoppages in textile manufacturing and supply chains, leading to a slight market contraction to 2 401 t.

Market volume surged by 30% to 3 130 t in 2021, driven by post-pandemic demand recovery. This expansion occurred alongside a sharp rise in production costs due to the energy and raw material price crisis. Subsequently, the market fell to 2 567 t in 2022 and 2 227 t in 2023. The decline was partly caused by logistical difficulties from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which raised import costs for cotton yarn. Simultaneously, the 2022 EU price‑labeling directive, implemented in Hungary, mandated the recording and display of market prices, affecting pricing strategies and competitive dynamics.

The Hungarian textile sector increasingly emphasized sustainability and innovation from 2022 onward, with EU funding available for green technologies. By 2024, the price‑transparency reform was fully operational, requiring public price disclosure. Further regulatory developments in 2025 include the introduction of a digital real‑time price registration system and stricter EU environmental and labor standards, which raise certification costs but promote premium product segments.

Production cotton yarn in Hungary

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Hungary's cotton yarn production, excluding sewing thread, has grown for the third year in a row. In 2021, the output value reached 13 794 thousand US dollars, marking an uphill climb of 8.0% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production surged by 45.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 13.2%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Hungary's cotton yarn production volume, excluding sewing thread, has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 596.0 tonnes, up by 11.4% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production increased by 2.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 397.0 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 31.4%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the biggest increase of 34.8%.

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

Exports cotton yarn from Hungary

Exports in kind, t

Cotton yarn exports from Hungary, excluding sewing thread, have expanded for the second year running. In 2021, exports totaled 633 tonnes, rising by 8.8% from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 8.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 541 tonnes, which also recorded the largest decline of 7.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Turkey, and Italy were the top buyers of Hungarian cotton yarn, excluding sewing thread, accounting for 47.0%, 11.9%, and 10.1% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they made up 69.0% of total exports in kind.

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 cotton yarn export value, excluding sewing thread, has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 12 943 thousand US dollars, showing a robust 15.9% improvement over the prior year. From 2018 to 2021, exports jumped by 37.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 11.2%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 8 994 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 4.3%. In 2020, exports posted the largest increase of 24.2%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Germany, Turkey, and Italy were the three main markets for Hungarian cotton yarn exports in value terms, excluding sewing thread, collectively absorbing 65.5% 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 cotton yarn to Hungary

Imports in kind, t

Hungary imported 3 167 tonnes of cotton yarn, excluding sewing thread, in 2021, showing a sharp rise of 29.4% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 32.6%, with an annualized growth rate of 9.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, at 5.9%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Italy, Turkey, and Pakistan formed the core group of suppliers for Hungary's cotton yarn imports in kind, excluding sewing thread, with shares of 43.4%, 22.4%, and 15.1%, respectively. Together, they represented 81.0% 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

After a two-year decline, Hungary's cotton yarn imports, excluding sewing thread, rebounded in 2021. The country imported approximately 21 964 thousand US dollars worth, marking a steep gain of 35.1% year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 19.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 16 257 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 8.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Italy, Pakistan, and Turkey consistently led Hungary's cotton yarn import structure in value terms, excluding sewing thread, with shares of 62.9%, 11.8%, and 10.6%, respectively. Jointly, they accounted for 85.3% 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