Non coniferous sawnwood market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The Hungarian non-coniferous sawnwood market volume declined from 308.4 thousand m³ in 2018 to 166.7 thousand m³ in 2020, driven primarily by the COVID-19 pandemic's sharp contraction in construction sector demand. This led to accumulated inventories and lower log prices by mid-2020, while stricter government import permits for processed timber further limited domestic raw material availability.

A post-pandemic construction surge and increased Canadian wood imports fueled a lumber price jump of 27% in 2021, though market volume continued to fall. Supply was further constrained in 2022 by war-induced disruptions to shipments from Russia and the introduction of new mandatory EU and Hungarian labeling standards, which added tracing and sustainability disclosure requirements for producers and importers.

Market volume rebounded to 190.7 thousand m³ in 2023 as growing demand for firewood for renewable energy stabilized prices and encouraged production capacity expansions. Regulatory evolution continued with the extension of EU labeling rules to e-commerce in 2024 and planned EU environmental targets for 2025 aiming to reduce the carbon intensity of wood products.

Production non coniferous sawnwood in Hungary

In kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Top producers of non coniferous sawnwood, 2018-2021

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

After a two-year decline, Hungary's production of non-coniferous sawnwood rebounded in 2021. The country produced 302.2 thousand cubic meters that year, marking an 8.0% increase compared to 2020. Looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 19%, which translates to an average annual decline of 6.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 279.8 thousand cubic meters, with the steepest drop of 20.2% occurring that same year.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following two years of contraction, Hungary's non-coniferous sawnwood production value showed growth in 2021. Output was valued at 161.6 million US dollars, representing a 3.1% rise from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, however, production value decreased by 27.2%, equivalent to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -10.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 156.7 million US dollars, with the most significant decline of 22.7% also occurring in that year.

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

Exports non coniferous sawnwood from Hungary

Exports in kind, K m³

Hungary's non-coniferous sawnwood exports grew for the second consecutive year in 2021. The country exported 200.4 thousand cubic meters, a 29.3% increase from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports expanded by 31.9%, averaging an annual growth rate of 9.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 146.8 thousand cubic meters, which also saw the largest decline of 3.4%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Italy, Austria, and Germany were consistently the top destinations for Hungary's non-coniferous sawnwood exports by volume. Italy accounted for 29.9% of exports, Austria for 20.6%, and Germany for 9.9%. Together, these three countries represented 60.4% of Hungary's total export flows in this category.

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 non-coniferous sawnwood export value increased for the second year in a row in 2021, reaching 107.2 million US dollars. This represented a 23.4% rise compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value grew by 18.5%, with an average annual increase of 5.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 84.9 million US dollars, which also experienced the most significant decline of 6.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Austria, Italy, and Germany were the leading markets for Hungary's non-coniferous sawnwood exports by value. Austria accounted for 21.5% of export value, Italy for 15.6%, and Germany for 14.2%. Combined, these three countries made up 51.3% of Hungary's total export value in this sector.

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 sawnwood to Hungary

Imports in kind, K m³

Hungary's imports of non-coniferous sawnwood declined for the third consecutive year in 2021, falling to 37.7 thousand cubic meters. This represented a 9.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports dropped by 56.8%, averaging an annual decline of 24.4%.

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

During the 2018-2021 period, Italy, Croatia, and Ukraine were key suppliers of non-coniferous sawnwood to Hungary by volume. Italy accounted for 16.6% of imports, Croatia for 15.3%, and Ukraine for 13.3%. However, their combined share reached only 45.2% of total imports, with the remaining 54.8% distributed among numerous other trading 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, M $ US

After two years of decline, Hungary's non-coniferous sawnwood import value increased in 2021, reaching 25.5 million US dollars. This marked a solid 20.7% advance compared to 2020. However, over the 2018-2021 period, import value decreased by 15.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 21.1 million US dollars, while the largest decline of 19.8% occurred in 2019.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Ukraine, Poland, and Croatia formed the largest group of suppliers for Hungary's non-coniferous sawnwood imports by value. Ukraine accounted for 20.4% of import value, Poland for 14.1%, and Croatia for 12.8%. Their combined contribution was 47.4% of total import value, indicating a diversified supplier structure with many other countries involved.

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

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