Grape wine spirits market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The Hungarian grape wine spirits market volume declined from 1.4 million liters in 2018 to 809 thousand liters in 2020. This contraction was influenced by the July 2018 deadline for converting vineyard replanting rights, which affected planting activity. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic shifted consumption towards home use, but supply chain disruptions contributed to a sharp drop in imports, reducing overall market volume.

Market volume recovered to 927 thousand liters in 2021 and reached 1.1 million liters in 2022. New sectoral regulations introduced in 2021, including mandatory identification for wine products, helped standardize production and distribution. The following year saw stabilized regulations, a continued decline in wine imports, and growing consumer interest in local indigenous grape varieties, which supported domestic market volume despite tighter excise rules on production and storage.

By 2024, the market had fallen to 703 thousand liters. New EU horizontal regulations on geographical indications and U.S. tariff measures on premium wines directly impacted Hungarian exporters. Concurrently, changing consumption habits, especially among younger generations seeking low- and non-alcoholic wines, along with stricter rules on permitted grape varieties, further influenced the market structure.

Production grape wine spirits in Hungary

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

After two consecutive years of decline, Hungary's grape wine spirits production rebounded in 2021. The output reached 2 080 K $ US, marking a controlled increase of 7.2% compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 42.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 17.0%. The lowest point was recorded in 2020 at 1 941 K $ US, with the sharpest drop of 30.5% occurring that same year.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, K l

Following two years of contraction, Hungary's grape wine spirits production saw a recovery in 2021. The country produced 1 202 K liters, representing a significant 21.0% rise from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production decreased by 9.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.2%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2020 at 994 K liters, while the largest decline of 14.1% took place in 2019.

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

Exports grape wine spirits from Hungary

Exports in kind, K l

In 2021, Hungary's grape wine spirits exports totaled 450.9 K liters, showing a substantial increase of 39.2% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 24.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.6%. The lowest export volume was in 2020 at 323.9 K liters, which also saw the largest decline of 11.6% during that period.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Italy remained the primary destination for Hungary's grape wine spirits exports, accounting for 87.3% of total exports in volume. Other markets played a much smaller role during this timeframe.

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

After two years of decline, Hungary's grape wine spirits exports in value terms increased in 2021. The country exported 806 K $ US worth of grape wine spirits, up by 27.8% year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 4.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 630 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 14.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Italy was the leading buyer of grape wine spirits from Hungary in value terms, representing 82.3% of total exports. Other trading partners held relatively modest shares during this period.

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

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

Imports grape wine spirits to Hungary

Imports in kind, K l

Following two years of decline, Hungary's imports of grape wine spirits in volume terms rose in 2021. Imports reached 175.6 K liters, a 26.6% increase from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports fell by 63.8%, equating to an average annual decline of 28.7%. The lowest import volume was in 2020 at 138.7 K liters, with the sharpest drop of 68.7% occurring that year.

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

Over the 2018-2021 period, Germany, France, and Austria were the main sources of grape wine spirits imports to Hungary in volume terms. Germany accounted for 37.1%, France for 24.7%, and Austria for 16.3%, together making up 78.1% of total imports.

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

In 2021, Hungary imported approximately 3 081 K $ US worth of grape wine spirits, indicating a steep increase of 41.3% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 11.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 2 181 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 24.4%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, France, Italy, and Germany were the top contributors to Hungary's grape wine spirits imports in value terms. France led with 48.4%, followed by Italy at 21.0%, and Germany at 10.7%, collectively accounting for 80.1% of total imports.

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

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