Gin and geneva market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the Hungarian gin and geneva market transformed with the entry of new players and growing demand for premium products in Europe, which stimulated exports. Export prices rose rapidly in 2018, reaching USD 3.13 per kg, but declined in 2019. The update of EU spirit regulation in 2018 strengthened the protection of geographical indications, while Hungarian competition law was modernized. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to emergency measures, increasing the role of state-owned enterprises in strategic sectors, including the alcohol industry. By 2021, tighter competition protection rules and new taxes influenced consumer behavior, but export value significantly increased due to revived international demand.

From 2022 to 2024, market volume in kind amounted to 865.6 thousand liters in 2022, stabilized at 853.9 thousand liters in 2023, and grew to 925.0 thousand liters in 2024. The growth in 2022 was linked to changing consumer preferences towards premium and craft gin, as well as stricter labeling and packaging requirements. In 2023, stabilization coincided with further tightening of foreign investment screening and strict trade rules. In 2024, despite high inflation and reduced purchasing power, market volume increased, supported by the introduction of a deposit return scheme for packaging and the update of EU spirit regulation.

Production gin and geneva in Hungary

According to Faostat, there is no production of gin and geneva in Hungary.

Exports gin and geneva from Hungary

Exports in kind, K l

The market experienced significant fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 94.1 thousand liters, then peaked in 2021 at 239.4 thousand liters — representing a 2.5-fold increase between these years. In 2021, Hungary's gin and geneva exports saw a sharp year-over-year rise of 45.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 25.4%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2020 at 74.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, K l

From 2018 to 2021, Slovakia was overwhelmingly the primary destination for Hungary's gin and geneva exports in volume terms, accounting for 98.1% 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

Hungary's gin and geneva export volumes grew for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 1 337 thousand US dollars, marking a 34.2% increase over the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports rose by 34.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 829 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 16.6%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Slovakia dominated Hungary's gin and geneva export structure in value terms, representing 97.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports gin and geneva to Hungary

Imports in kind, K l

In 2021, Hungary imported 559.3 thousand liters of gin and geneva, representing a 65.8% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 103.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 26.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2020 with a drop of 14.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, K l

From 2018 to 2021, the United Kingdom (32.6% of volume imports), Germany (20.8%), and Italy (15.9%) formed the primary group of sources for Hungary's gin and geneva imports in volume terms, collectively accounting for 69.4% 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

The market showed notable fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018, then peaked in 2021 — representing a 2.5-fold increase between these years. In 2021, Hungary imported gin and geneva worth {value_last_year} thousand US dollars, marking an 80.9% rise compared to 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2020 with a drop of 8.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United Kingdom (33.1% of value imports), Germany (20.6%), and Italy (16.4%) together absorbed 70.0% of Hungary's total gin and geneva imports in value terms, making them the main sources.

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

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