Men's knitted shirts market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The Hungarian market for men's knitted shirts experienced a significant shift from 2018 to 2020, starting with a decline in physical volume but an increase in market value in 2019. This coincided with the implementation of the EU's 2019 directive against unfair trading practices, which began altering supply chain dynamics and may have contributed to a focus on higher-value items. The COVID-19 pandemic then led to a sharp contraction in 2020, reducing the market to 2.7 million units and USD 14.4 million in value as consumer behavior and retail access were disrupted.

Recovery began in 2021, with market value rising to USD 17.2 million. By 2022, the strong growth of digital commerce and e-commerce platforms in Hungary became a key market feature, supported by new national consumer protection and competition regulations that specifically governed online sales and product labeling. These factors helped maintain the market's value at USD 17.7 million in 2022 despite a slight dip in volume to 2.9 million units, reflecting changing consumer preferences towards quality and convenience through digital channels.

After a downturn in 2023, the market rebounded notably in 2024, reaching 3.1 million units and USD 17.9 million in value. This recovery suggests a stabilization of demand and the continued integration of omnichannel retail strategies that had gained prominence in the previous years.

Production men's knitted shirts in Hungary

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In Hungary, the production value of men's knitted shirts reached 1 487 thousand US dollars in 2021, marking a 5.2% increase from the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, production declined by 21.9%, with an average annual decrease of 7.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 717 thousand US dollars, followed by a significant drop of 48.0% in 2020 to 1 414 thousand US dollars, which was the lowest point. In 2019, production saw its largest increase of 42.7%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, K unit

Hungary's production of men's knitted shirts has been declining for three consecutive years. In 2021, output stood at 299.2 thousand units, representing an 8.7% decrease from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 57.1%, with an average annual decline of 24.6%.

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

Exports men's knitted shirts from Hungary

Exports in kind, K unit

In 2021, Hungary exported 1 187 thousand units of men's knitted shirts, showing a moderate increase of 6.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 3.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 272 thousand units, followed by a decline of 12.6% in 2020 to 1 112 thousand units, which was the lowest point. In 2019, exports saw their largest increase of 10.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Romania, Croatia, and Italy were the key markets for Hungary's exports of men's knitted shirts in volume terms. Romania accounted for 26.9% of exports, Croatia for 21.2%, and Italy for 9.8%, together representing 57.9% of total export 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

In 2021, Hungary's export value of men's knitted shirts reached 5 957 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp increase of 28.8% from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports rose by 37.6%, with an average annual growth of 11.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 6 045 thousand US dollars, followed by a decline of 23.5% in 2020. In 2019, exports experienced their largest increase of 39.7%.

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

During 2018–2021, Hungary's exports of men's knitted shirts in value terms were distributed across numerous markets. Even the top three destinations—Romania, Croatia, and Czechia—combined accounted for only 45.6% of total export value, indicating a diverse market base.

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

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

Imports men's knitted shirts to Hungary

Imports in kind, K unit

After two years of decline, Hungary's imports of men's knitted shirts rebounded in 2021, reaching 4 000 thousand units, which represents a substantial increase of 13.8% from the previous year. However, over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 36.8%, with an average annual decline of 14.2%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 3 516 thousand units, marking the largest decline of 30.0% that year.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, China, and the United Kingdom were the leading suppliers of men's knitted shirts to Hungary in volume terms, but they did not dominate the market. Germany accounted for 15.2% of imports, China for 15.0%, and the United Kingdom for 13.6%, together making up 43.8% of total imports, with many smaller partners contributing to the rest.

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 import value of men's knitted shirts stood at 21 669 thousand US dollars, showing a robust year-on-year increase of 23.1%. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 5.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 22 452 thousand US dollars, followed by a decline of 21.6% in 2020 to 17 607 thousand US dollars, which was the lowest point.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Hungary's imports of men's knitted shirts in value terms were not highly concentrated. Germany, the United Kingdom, and Slovakia were the top suppliers, accounting for 23.8%, 10.4%, and 9.3% of imports, respectively, but together they represented only 43.5% of total import flows, reflecting a broad range of sources.

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

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