Malt market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the Hungarian malt market experienced moderate fluctuations. In 2018, the use of diverse malt types, such as caramel malt, enhanced product quality and variety, reflecting shifting consumer preferences and supporting demand, with market volume reaching 68 193 t. After a slight increase to 68 646 t in 2019, the market contracted to 61 742 t in 2020. By 2021, despite challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic and African swine fever affecting the food industry, the market recovered to 64 918 t.

A sharp turnaround occurred in 2022, with market volume surging by 24% to 80 592 t. This growth was primarily driven by the continued expansion of e-commerce in Hungary, which improved distribution and accessibility for malt products. Additionally, new players entered the market, boosting competition and supply. The implementation of the EU’s amended directive on price display for consumer goods, effective in 2022, also influenced pricing practices in the malt sector.

The market corrected in 2023, falling 14% to 69 518 t. This coincided with consolidation in the corporate merger and acquisition landscape and strengthened state influence, which dampened market activity. In 2024, volume stabilized at 69 320 t, a marginal decline of 0.3%, as state-dominated procurement in adjacent sectors like construction influenced related industrial demand.

Production malt in Hungary

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Hungary's malt production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, malt output in Hungary was valued at 34 412 K $ US, which is 0.6% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 4.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 33 281 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 7.8%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2020, with a rise of 2.8%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of malt, 2018-2021

World map of production of malt, 2018-2021

Hungary's malt production volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, 76 735 t of malt were produced in Hungary, remaining relatively stable compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production decreased by 8.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.8%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 75 452 t, which also experienced the largest decline of 9.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with a rise of 1.2%.

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

Exports malt from Hungary

Exports in kind, t

Hungary's malt export volumes increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, Hungary exported 39 980 t of malt, showing no significant change from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 3.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 38 382 t, which also saw the largest decline of 7.4%. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with a rise of 4.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Romania clearly dominated as the main buyer of malt from Hungary, accounting for 90.1% of total exports in volume terms.

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 malt export value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports stood at 18 052 K $ US, marking a slight increase of 1.0% year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 16 870 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 7.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with a rise of 6.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the geographical pattern of malt exports in value terms reflected a strong dependence on Romania, which absorbed 90.4% 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 malt to Hungary

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Hungary imported 28 163 t of malt, corresponding to a solid advance of 11.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 8.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 25 340 t, which also saw the largest decline of 19.7%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 31 576 t, which experienced the largest increase of 21.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the structure of malt imports in volume terms was marked by the predominance of Slovakia, which absorbed 81.3% of total flows, alongside a large number of minor partners.

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 malt imports from abroad were recorded at 12 557 K $ US, amounting to a strong gain of 12.5% relative to the prior year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 20.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 13 222 K $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 27.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 15.6%.

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

Over the period from 2018 to 2021, Slovakia remained the dominant partner for malt imports in value terms to Hungary, with a share of 78.4% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail.

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

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