Non-alcoholic beer market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The non-alcoholic beer market in Hungary expanded steadily from 33.1 million liters in 2018 to over 52.6 million liters by 2022. This growth was initially fueled by major international brewers like Anheuser-Busch, Heineken, and Diageo launching their alcohol-free variants, capitalizing on the absence of strict EU regulatory barriers for such products. Domestic producers, including Dreher and Borsodi, quickly followed, broadening their portfolios. A key catalyst was the excise tax exemption for beers containing less than 0.5% alcohol, which provided a significant price advantage. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated demand in 2021, as health-conscious trends like 'Dry January' gained popularity and summer heatwaves boosted consumer interest in refreshing alcohol-free alternatives.

Market volume peaked in 2022, supported by an EU-wide adjustment to excise duty rates that further reduced the tax burden on products below 0.5% alcohol, enhancing their competitiveness. However, the market contracted to 46.0 million liters in 2023. This decline coincided with a reported 10% drop in overall beer consumption in Hungary, attributed partly to reduced imports, even as the share of domestic non-alcoholic offerings increased within a shrinking total market.

A recovery followed in 2024, with market volume rising to 55.5 million liters, driven primarily by strength in the premium and super-premium segments. Concurrently, the expansion of Hungary's Advertising Ethics Code introduced stricter rules prohibiting misleading claims in the marketing of alcohol-free beer, directly influencing how producers could promote their products to consumers.

Production non-alcoholic beer in Hungary

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Hungary's non-alcoholic beer production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2021, output reached 35 894 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 46.8% increase compared to 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 27.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 8.3%. The lowest production value was recorded in 2019 at 22 063 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 21.8% occurring that same year.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, K l

Hungary's non-alcoholic beer production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 32 780 thousand liters, which is 29.6% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 39.4%, resulting in an average annual rate of 11.7%.

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

Exports non-alcoholic beer from Hungary

Exports in kind, K l

The market showed considerable volatility during these years. Export volumes fluctuated significantly, with the highest point in 2019 and the lowest in 2021, representing a fourfold difference. In 2021, Hungary's foreign non-alcoholic beer supplies totaled 525 thousand liters, a sharp decline of 69.2% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 119 thousand liters, with the largest increase of 94.3% also occurring that year.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main destinations for Hungary's non-alcoholic beer exports in volume terms were Slovakia, Poland, and Czechia. Slovakia accounted for 39.4% of exports, Poland for 26.5%, and Czechia for 17.7%. Together, these three countries represented 83.7% 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

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes peaked in 2019 and fell to their lowest point in 2018, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 1.9 times. In 2021, non-alcoholic beer deliveries from Hungary amounted to 257 thousand US dollars, showing a steep decline of 44.8% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 479 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 92.4% also occurring that year.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, the key destinations for Hungary's non-alcoholic beer exports in value terms were Slovakia, Romania, and Poland. Slovakia accounted for 35.5% of exports, Romania for 34.7%, and Poland for 17.6%. Collectively, these three markets made up 87.8% of total export 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 non-alcoholic beer to Hungary

Imports in kind, K l

After two years of growth, Hungary's non-alcoholic beer imports declined. In 2021, imports reached 15 659 thousand liters, down by 13.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 46.7%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 13.6%. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2020 at 18 134 thousand liters, with the largest increase of 45.5% occurring in 2019.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the leading sources for Hungary's non-alcoholic beer imports in volume terms were Poland, Slovakia, and Austria. Poland accounted for 54.9% of imports, Slovakia for 13.2%, and Austria for 12.7%. Together, these three countries represented 80.8% of total import flows.

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

Following two years of gains, Hungary's imported non-alcoholic beer volumes declined. In 2021, imports amounted to 6 568 thousand US dollars, showing a substantial decrease of 13.1% from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 26.8%, resulting in an average annual growth rate of 8.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2020 at 7 560 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 35.0% occurring in 2019.

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

In the period from 2018 to 2021, three principal markets—Poland, Germany, and Austria—together accounted for 77.9% of Hungary's total non-alcoholic beer imports in value terms.

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

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