Milk with fat content of >1% and ≤6% market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for milk with fat content >1% and ≤6% in Hungary expanded to 330 thousand tons in 2019 before entering a sustained contraction, falling to 150 thousand tons by 2024. This decline represented a reduction of over 50% from the peak, indicating a significant shift in domestic consumption patterns.

The shrinkage in domestic market volume was driven by a combination of stable production and strong export growth, which reached 389 thousand tons in 2024. Simultaneously, imports decreased from their 2018 level, further reducing the net supply available for local consumers.

In value terms, the market told a different story. After dropping to 173 million USD in 2021, the market's worth recovered to 182 million USD by 2024, even as physical volume continued to fall. This suggests a change in the product mix or price levels within the category, with less milk sold but at higher average value.

Production milk with fat content of >1% and ≤6% in Hungary

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Hungary's production of milk with a fat content between >1% and ≤6% declined after two years of growth. In 2021, output was valued at 276.4 million US dollars, marking a slight decrease of 1.1% from 2020. The peak value occurred in 2020 at 279.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 0.8%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Hungary's production of milk with a fat content between >1% and ≤6% fell for the second year in a row. In 2021, output reached 482.7 thousand tonnes, representing a modest decline of 7.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production dropped by 7.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 534.3 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 2.5%.

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

Exports milk with fat content of >1% and ≤6% from Hungary

Exports in kind, K t

Hungary's exports of milk with a fat content between >1% and ≤6% grew for the second consecutive year. In 2021, shipments totaled 293.8 thousand tonnes, up 8.3% from the prior year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 7.6%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 2.5%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 262.7 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual decline of 3.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Romania, Italy, and Croatia were the primary destinations for Hungary's exports of milk with a fat content between >1% and ≤6%. Romania accounted for 48.2% of exports in volume, Italy for 14.9%, and Croatia for 11.6%, collectively representing 74.7% of total 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, M $ US

Hungary's exports of milk with a fat content between >1% and ≤6% rose for the second year in a row. In 2021, export value reached 125.6 million US dollars, showing a significant increase of 16.8% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 10.8%, with an annualized rate of 3.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 107.2 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual decrease of 5.4%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Romania, Italy, and Croatia remained the top destinations for Hungary's exports of milk with a fat content between >1% and ≤6% in value terms. Romania held a 49.0% share, Italy 15.3%, and Croatia 10.5%, together making up 74.8% 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 milk with fat content of >1% and ≤6% to Hungary

Imports in kind, K t

Hungary's imports of milk with a fat content between >1% and ≤6% decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports stood at 37.9 thousand tonnes, down 14.7% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports fell by 41.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -16.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Czechia and Slovakia dominated Hungary's imports of milk with a fat content between >1% and ≤6%, together accounting for 84.4% of total import volume. The remainder was spread across various other countries.

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, M $ US

Hungary's imports of milk with a fat content between >1% and ≤6% declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, import value totaled 21.8 million US dollars, a slight drop of 1.5% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 32.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 12.1%.

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

In the 2018-2021 period, Czechia, Slovakia, and Austria formed the main cluster of markets for Hungary's imports of milk with a fat content between >1% and ≤6% in value terms. Czechia accounted for 39.8% of import value, Slovakia for 39.6%, and Austria for 6.2%, collectively representing 85.7% of total flows.

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

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