Non coniferous roundwood market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The Hungarian non-coniferous roundwood market volume began the period at 4.7 million m³ in 2018, supported by EU sustainable forestry guidelines and growing domestic demand from construction and energy sectors. However, the introduction of new EU labeling rules in 2019 increased administrative costs for producers, contributing to a production decline. The market then contracted sharply to 3.6 million m³ in 2020 as the COVID‑19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and stricter environmental permit requirements raised investment costs.

A recovery followed in 2021, with market volume rising to 4.5 million m³, largely driven by the Hungarian government's enhanced tax benefits for forestry producers under the 'Forestry Producer Support' scheme, which improved financial conditions for harvesting.

Market volume dropped again to 3.6 million m³ in 2022 due to new EU record‑keeping obligations for production areas that increased administrative burdens and due to falling export prices. In 2023, however, volume surged to 4.7 million m³ after the launch of a state‑funded wood chip recycling program and a reduction in VAT rates for wood‑based bioenergy, which stimulated domestic consumption.

Production non coniferous roundwood in Hungary

In kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Top producers of non coniferous roundwood, 2018-2021

World map of production of non coniferous roundwood, 2018-2021

Hungary's non-coniferous roundwood production rebounded in 2021 after a two-year decline. Output reached 5 017 K m³, marking a sharp year-over-year increase of 26.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 3 972 K m³, which also saw the largest decline of 14.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Hungary's non-coniferous roundwood production value recovered in 2021 following a two-year downturn. The output was valued at 560.7 M $ US, representing a significant year-over-year gain of 28.6%. Over the 2018-2021 period, production value decreased by 14%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 435.9 M $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 31.4%.

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

Exports non coniferous roundwood from Hungary

Exports in kind, K m³

Hungary's non-coniferous roundwood exports grew for the third consecutive year in 2021. The country exported 610.5 K m³, showing a substantial increase of 29.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports rose by 87.5%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 23.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

From 2018 to 2021, Austria, Italy, and Slovakia were the main destinations for Hungary's non-coniferous roundwood exports in volume terms. Austria accounted for 35.4% of exports, Italy for 29.2%, and Slovakia for 14.4%. Together, these three countries represented 79.0% 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

Hungary's non-coniferous roundwood export value reached 68 222 K $ US in 2021, reflecting a sharp rise of 31.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value increased by 58.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 8.1%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Austria, Italy, and Slovakia were the primary markets for Hungary's non-coniferous roundwood exports in value terms. Austria represented 36.8% of export value, Italy 23.5%, and Slovakia 9.4%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 69.7% 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 non coniferous roundwood to Hungary

Imports in kind, K m³

Hungary's non-coniferous roundwood imports reached 109.5 K m³ in 2021, representing a 54.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 26.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 70.7 K m³, while the highest was in 2019 at 113.8 K m³. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 37.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

From 2018 to 2021, Croatia, Austria, and Slovakia were the principal suppliers of non-coniferous roundwood to Hungary in volume terms. Croatia accounted for 61.9% of imports, Austria for 14.4%, and Slovakia for 7.5%. Together, these three countries supplied 83.8% of Hungary's total imports.

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

Hungary's non-coniferous roundwood import value registered 12 323 K $ US in 2021, up 58.8% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value increased by 12.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 7 759 K $ US, while the highest was in 2019 at 12 694 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 38.9%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Croatia, Austria, and Slovenia were the key partners for Hungary's non-coniferous roundwood imports in value terms. Croatia accounted for 49.3% of import value, Austria for 21.5%, and Slovenia for 8.5%. Collectively, these three countries represented 79.3% 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