Frozen vegetables market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The Hungarian frozen vegetables market expanded from 74.2 thousand tons in 2018 to 97.9 thousand tons in 2020. This growth was primarily driven by a shift in consumer habits favoring multi-flavor vegetable mixes over single-ingredient products and continuous product development, including the launch of grill vegetables and themed mixes. In 2020, further momentum came from increased consumer trust in frozen semi-finished products and the introduction of new reformulated vegetable blends focusing on high nutritional value.

Market volume then contracted over the next two years, falling to 90.6 thousand tons in 2021 and 73.0 thousand tons in 2022. The decline in 2022 coincided with heightened food safety scrutiny following Listeria infection cases linked to frozen vegetables, which prompted official investigations and guidelines on proper handling and heating before consumption.

By 2023, the market recovered significantly to 93.1 thousand tons, nearly reaching the 2020 peak. This rebound suggests a stabilization of demand after the previous period of safety-related concerns.

Production frozen vegetables in Hungary

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, Hungary ranked 14th globally in frozen vegetable production.

Top producers of frozen vegetables, 2018-2021

World map of production of frozen vegetables, 2018-2021

In 2021, Hungary produced 125 thousand tons of frozen vegetables, representing a 4.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production declined by 14.1%, which translates to an average annual reduction of 4.9%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 14.0% decrease, while the largest increase was recorded in 2020 at 5.0%.

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

Exports frozen vegetables from Hungary

Exports in kind, K t

After two consecutive years of decline, Hungary's frozen vegetable exports rebounded in 2021. The country exported 79.1 thousand tons, marking a 2.8% increase year-over-year. However, from 2018 to 2021, overall exports fell by 29.3%, averaging an annual decline of 10.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 76.9 thousand tons, with the sharpest drop occurring in 2019 at 23.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Germany were Hungary's primary export destinations for frozen vegetables by volume. The United Kingdom accounted for 27.5% of exports, Belgium for 12.9%, and Germany for 11.1%. Together, these three countries represented 51.5% of Hungary's total frozen vegetable exports during this period.

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 frozen vegetable exports by value increased for the second consecutive year in 2021, reaching 85 961 thousand US dollars, a 9.1% rise from the previous year. Despite this recent growth, exports declined by 11.5% overall between 2018 and 2021, with an average annual decrease of 4.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 76 127 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 21.6%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Germany remained Hungary's key export partners by value. The United Kingdom accounted for 28.4% of export value, Belgium for 11.5%, and Germany for 11.2%. Collectively, these three markets represented 51.0% of Hungary's total frozen vegetable export value during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports frozen vegetables to Hungary

Imports in kind, K t

Hungary's frozen vegetable imports increased for the third consecutive year in 2021, reaching 44.6 thousand tons, a modest 3.0% gain from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 10.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.3%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Poland, Serbia, and Belgium were the main sources of Hungary's frozen vegetable imports by volume. Poland accounted for 23.5% of imports, Serbia for 15.9%, and Belgium for 15.7%. Together, these three countries supplied 55.1% of Hungary's total frozen vegetable imports during this period.

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 frozen vegetable imports by value increased for the third consecutive year in 2021, totaling 39 658 thousand US dollars, a significant 14.6% rise from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value grew by 28.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Poland, Belgium, and Serbia accounted for the largest share of Hungary's frozen vegetable imports by value. Poland represented 23.4% of import value, Belgium 15.6%, and Serbia 13.2%. Together, these three countries comprised 52.2% of Hungary's total frozen vegetable import value during this timeframe.

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

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