Hazelnuts market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The hazelnut market in Hungary expanded significantly from 253 tonnes in 2018 to 534 tonnes in 2023. This growth was primarily driven by two major events: the global surge in hazelnut prices in 2019 due to a poor harvest in Turkey, which supplies 65% of the world's crop, and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which increased consumer demand for snack foods, including hazelnuts. These factors supported higher market value and volume despite fluctuations in import levels.

Domestic production more than doubled from 140 to 390 tonnes over the same period. The market saw the entry and expansion of key players like Mogyi Kft., which launched new product families and adopted modern processing technologies from 2021 onward. Furthermore, a severe frost in Turkey in 2022 caused another global price spike, making local production more attractive and contributing to a rise in output despite challenges like drought and increasing costs reported in 2023.

Structural changes also shaped the market. New EU rules on price display in 2022 affected product packaging and labeling, while the dynamic growth of e-commerce in Hungary influenced online sales channels. The continued presence of new market entrants and the significant role of state-owned enterprises in the economy provided a backdrop for ongoing market consolidation and development up to 2025.

Production hazelnuts in Hungary

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Hungary ranked as the 27th largest producer of hazelnuts globally.

Top producers of hazelnuts, 2018-2021

World map of production of hazelnuts, 2018-2021

Hungary's hazelnut production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 210.0 t of hazelnuts, marking a significant increase of 10.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production rose by 50%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.5%.

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

Exports hazelnuts from Hungary

Exports in kind, t

Hungary's hazelnut exports declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country exported 5.5 t of hazelnuts, down by 45.9% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports fell by 92.1%, representing an annualized decrease of 57.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Romania, Germany, and Croatia were the largest buyers of Hungarian hazelnuts in volume terms. Romania accounted for 52.0% of exports, Germany for 18.9%, and Croatia for 10.0%, together making up 80.9% of total exports.

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 hazelnut exports in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 61 000 US dollars, a decrease of 42.4% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports dropped by 73.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -36.0%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the leading destinations for Hungarian hazelnut exports in value terms were Romania, Croatia, and Germany. Romania accounted for 28.5% of exports, Croatia for 15.5%, and Germany for 13.5%, collectively representing 57.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports hazelnuts to Hungary

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Hungary imported 258.5 t of hazelnuts, a 3.3% increase year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 41.3%, with an annualized rate of 12.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 291.0 t, which saw the largest increase of 59.0%. In 2020, imports experienced the largest decline of 14.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Turkey, Slovakia, and Germany were consistently the main sources of hazelnut imports to Hungary in volume terms. Turkey supplied 46.1% of imports, Slovakia 15.7%, and Germany 11.9%, together accounting for 73.7% of total import volume.

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

After two years of growth, Hungary's hazelnut imports in value terms declined. In 2021, imports amounted to 1 511 000 US dollars, down by 12.2% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 51.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2020 at 1 720 000 US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 60.5%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Turkey, Germany, and Slovakia were the primary sources of hazelnut imports to Hungary in value terms. Turkey accounted for 50.2% of imports, Germany for 18.0%, and Slovakia for 12.5%, collectively making up 80.7% of 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