Egg albumin market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the Hungarian egg albumin market was shaped by EU quality and labeling regulations that affected product traceability, while state-owned players like MNV Zrt. and Gyermelyi Zrt. maintained a dominant position. In 2020, the forint's depreciation and rising energy and grain prices increased feed costs, putting upward pressure on egg prices and indirectly on albumin production. By 2021, official data showed a decline in egg production and consumption, which tightened domestic supply, though market volume remained steady as imports rose to offset the shortfall.

The market volume expanded sharply in 2022 despite continued cost pressures from currency inflation and global energy prices, which squeezed local producers. However, in 2023, amended EU rules introduced stricter packaging and labeling obligations, disrupting supply and contributing to a drop in volume. Entering 2024-2025, high consumer inflation and new regulatory measures—including a margin cap on retail egg prices and mandatory cage-free standards from 2025—reshaped the landscape. Import volumes fell by 41% in 2025 while fresh egg exports doubled, reflecting a shift toward export-oriented strategies. New entrants like the German Rosenberger group expanded capacity, and state-owned Gyermelyi Zrt. announced plans to significantly grow its laying-hen flock and launch cage-free products from 2026.

Production egg albumin in Hungary

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, Hungary's egg albumin output was valued at 1 511 K $ US, remaining relatively stable compared to 2020. From 2019 to 2021, production increased by 50.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 14.5%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Hungary ranked 12th globally in egg albumin production between 2018 and 2021.

Top producers of egg albumin, 2018-2021

World map of production of egg albumin, 2018-2021

In 2021, Hungary produced 444.0 t of egg albumin, showing no significant change from 2020. Over the period from 2019 to 2021, production decreased by 14%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.9%.

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

Exports egg albumin from Hungary

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 22.3 t, then peaked in 2019 at 60.1 t—a 2.7-fold difference. In 2021, egg albumin shipments from Hungary abroad amounted to 27.9 t, which is 25.2% higher than the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 62.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 115.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the leading destinations for Hungary's egg albumin exports in kind were Austria (29.6% of exports), Serbia (19.5% of exports), and Turkey (14.4% of exports), together accounting for 63.5% 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

In 2021, foreign egg albumin supplies from Hungary reached 211.8 K $ US, up by 54.7% from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 16.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 136.9 K $ US, and the maximum in 2019 at 323.0 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 57.6%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Serbia (26.5% of exports in value terms), Austria (19.6% of exports in value terms), and the United Kingdom (14.1% of exports in value terms) together absorbed 60.1% of Hungary's total egg albumin exports in value terms, making them the main destinations.

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

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

Imports egg albumin to Hungary

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Hungary imported a total of egg albumin, reflecting a dramatic increase of 36.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 101.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 26.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 12.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 68.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Italy (39.3% of imports in kind), Latvia (35.1% of imports in kind), and Germany (8.0% of imports in kind) were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of egg albumin imports to Hungary, with a combined share of 82.3% of total 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, egg albumin shipments to Hungary from abroad increased. In 2021, import volume totaled 790.6 K $ US, marking an improvement of 34.3% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports rose by 15.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 4.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 588.9 K $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 9.4%.

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

In 2018–2021, Italy (31.9% of imports in value terms), Germany (20.5% of imports in value terms), and Latvia (13.1% of imports in value terms) formed the main cluster of markets for Hungary's egg albumin imports in value terms, with a combined share of 65.5% of total flows.

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

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