Grapes market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The grape market volume in Hungary contracted from 536.5 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 419.5 thousand tonnes in 2023. This decline was primarily driven by a long-term structural reduction in vineyard area, which had halved over the preceding decades, limiting production capacity. Extreme weather and drought in 2022 significantly reduced yields, while rising production costs and persistently low purchase prices led many growers to plan vineyard removal, further curtailing supply.

Despite the shrinking domestic production, new wineries entered the market, expanding the product range and quality offerings. Consumer preferences shifted towards white wines and specific wine regions, with red wine consumption falling. Imports of grapes increased from 10.8 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 21.7 thousand tonnes in 2025, partially offsetting the decline in local output but not reversing the overall market contraction.

Global factors including climate change and fluctuating world wine consumption continued to influence the Hungarian grape market. In 2024, the European Union proposed a reduction in Common Agricultural Policy funds by 2028, introducing a new planning variable for the sector. Concurrently, Hungarian bottled wine exports grew by 15% in 2024, supporting demand for quality grapes.

Production grapes in Hungary

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

On a global scale, Hungary ranked as the 25th largest producer of grapes between 2018 and 2021.

Top producers of grapes, 2018-2021

World map of production of grapes, 2018-2021

After two consecutive years of decline, grape production in Hungary increased in 2021. The country produced 437.8 thousand tons of grapes that year, representing a modest 0.6% rise compared to the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, production actually fell by 17.9%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 6.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 435.1 thousand tons, while the sharpest decline occurred in 2019 with a 14.2% drop.

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

Exports grapes from Hungary

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, Hungary's grape exports totaled 6,260 tons, marking a significant 23.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2018 to 2021, exports declined by 15.4%, averaging an annual reduction of 5.4%. The peak export volume was reached in 2020 at 8,166 tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 23.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Slovakia, Austria, and Czechia were Hungary's key export partners for grapes in terms of volume. Slovakia accounted for 46.0% of exports, Austria for 16.8%, and Czechia for 14.1%. Together, these three countries represented 76.8% of Hungary's total grape 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

Following two years of growth, Hungary's grape exports in value terms declined in 2021. The export value amounted to 4,270 thousand US dollars that year, reflecting a substantial 29.3% decrease compared to 2020. The highest export value was recorded in 2020 at 6,043 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2019 with a 19.3% rise.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Slovakia, Romania, and Austria were the three main markets for Hungary's grape exports in value terms. Collectively, they accounted for 70.3% of the total export value 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 grapes to Hungary

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Hungary's grape imports reached 18,052 tons, showing a notable 22.0% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 67.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 18.7%. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2020 at 6.2%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2019 with a 46.3% surge.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Italy, and Austria were the leading sources of grape imports to Hungary in volume terms. Germany contributed 35.1% of imports, Italy 31.2%, and Austria 8.6%. Together, these three countries made up 74.8% of Hungary's total grape imports during this timeframe.

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's grape imports in value terms reached 30,327 thousand US dollars, representing a strong 16.0% increase year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, import values rose by 58.1%, averaging an annual growth rate of 16.5%. The largest annual decline was a minimal 0.1% in 2020, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2019 with a 36.4% jump.

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

During the 2018-2021 period, Germany, Italy, and Austria were the three principal markets for Hungary's grape imports in value terms. Together, they accounted for 71.6% of the total import value.

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

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