Garlic market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The Hungarian fresh garlic market saw its volume decline from 8.4 thousand tons in 2018 to 6.3 thousand tons in 2023, with a period of contraction through 2020 followed by a partial recovery in 2021-2022.

Market volume dropped sharply by 17% in 2023 to 6.3 thousand tons, a movement aligned with decreasing domestic garlic cultivation and a simultaneous reduction in imports from major suppliers such as Spain and Turkey, despite increased shipments from the Netherlands.

In 2024, the domestic harvest slipped by 1% to 5.2 thousand tons. Heat waves and climate change continued to pressure yields, especially for purple garlic. By 2025, import volumes rose 46%, fueled by resumed Chinese exports and stronger EU demand, which contributed to significant price increases and the arrival of niche products like black garlic.

Production garlic in Hungary

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of garlic, 2018-2021

World map of production of garlic, 2018-2021

Hungary's garlic production saw a two-year decline before rebounding in 2021. That year, the country produced 5 610 tonnes of garlic, marking a modest 7.7% increase compared to 2020. However, looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 29.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 10.9%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2020 at 5 210 tonnes, with the sharpest year-on-year drop of 26.8% occurring that same year.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, Hungary's garlic output was valued at 15 666 thousand US dollars, showing a 4.5% improvement over the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, the value of production decreased by 11.4%, averaging an annual decline of 3.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 14 991 thousand US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 18 748 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline happened in 2020 with a 20.0% drop, whereas the largest increase was in 2019 at 6.1%.

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

Exports garlic from Hungary

Exports in kind, t

Hungary's garlic exports have grown for the second year in a row. In 2021, export volume reached 683 tonnes, which is 4.4% higher than in 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 37.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.1%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 475 tonnes, when exports fell by 4.6%. The most substantial increase occurred in 2020, with a surge of 37.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia were the largest buyers of Hungarian garlic by volume. Romania accounted for 54.5% of exports, Slovakia for 19.6%, and Slovenia for 12.6%. Together, these three countries represented 86.7% of Hungary's total garlic 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 garlic exports have increased in value for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 1 907 thousand US dollars, a 1.3% rise compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, the value of exports grew by 71.9%, averaging an annual increase of 19.8%.

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

During 2018–2021, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia were the key partners for Hungary's garlic exports by value. Romania made up 54.8% of export value, Slovakia 15.8%, and Slovenia 15.1%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 85.7% of Hungary's total garlic export flows in monetary terms.

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

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

Imports garlic to Hungary

Imports in kind, t

Hungary's garlic imports have risen for the third year in a row. In 2021, import volume reached 2 265 tonnes, representing a modest 7.3% advance over 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports surged by 134.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 32.9%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the Netherlands, Spain, and Italy were the main sources of garlic imports to Hungary by volume. The Netherlands supplied 26.6% of imports, Spain 21.2%, and Italy 20.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for 68.3% of Hungary's total garlic imports in kind.

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 garlic imports have grown in value for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 5 580 thousand US dollars, which is 2.1% higher than in 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, the value of imports increased by 178%, averaging an annual rise of 40.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, the Netherlands, and Italy were the primary markets for Hungary's garlic imports by value. Spain contributed 24.7% of import value, the Netherlands 23.6%, and Italy 16.9%. Combined, these three countries represented 65.2% of Hungary's total garlic import flows in monetary terms.

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

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