NPK fertilizers market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The NPK fertilizers market in Hungary experienced notable fluctuations in volume between 2018 and 2023. Market size in physical terms remained around 300–320 thousand tons until 2020, then contracted to 267 thousand tons in 2022 and fell sharply to 167.5 thousand tons in 2023. In value terms, the market declined from 119.0 million US dollars in 2018 to 110.0 million in 2020, before a price-driven surge to 173.1 million in 2022, followed by a drop to 85.1 million in 2023.

In 2024, the IKR Agrár group entered the Hungarian NPK market with a fertilizer plant in Linz, offering products tailored for local farmers, including the Corn Starter Pro blend. The following year, the EU imposed targeted import duties on fertilizers from Russia and Belarus, raising costs for affected NPK imports and supporting European producers. Concurrently, Hungarian farmers reduced purchasing activity by 20% in the third quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year, influenced by low crop prices and climatic uncertainties, which dampened overall demand.

Production NPK fertilizers in Hungary

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Hungary's NPK fertilizer production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 29 562 thousand US dollars, showing a slight decrease of 2.7% from 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, production fell by 31%, equating to an annualized decline of 11.6%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

In 2020, Hungary produced 72 345 tonnes of NPK fertilizers, marking a controlled increase of 7.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2018-2020 period, production decreased by 24.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.0%. The lowest output was recorded in 2019 at 67 474 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 29.8%.

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

Exports NPK fertilizers from Hungary

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year decrease, Hungary's NPK fertilizer exports increased in 2021. The country exported 57.0 thousand tonnes, up by 49.9% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 10.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 38.0 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 15.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Slovakia, Romania, and Croatia formed the key group of partners for Hungary's NPK fertilizer exports in kind. Slovakia accounted for 40.8% of exports, Romania for 36.9%, and Croatia for 7.9%. Together, these three countries represented 85.6% 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, M $ US

Hungary's NPK fertilizer export values showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 13.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 34.1%. Volumes then climbed to their maximum in 2021, reaching 25.2 million US dollars—a sharp uptick of 85.4% compared to 2020 and a 1.9-fold increase from the previous year's low.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Romania, Slovakia, and Serbia formed the core group of markets for Hungary's NPK fertilizer exports in value terms. Romania accounted for 39.8% of exports, Slovakia for 35.5%, and Serbia for 8.0%. Together, these three countries represented 83.3% 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 NPK fertilizers to Hungary

Imports in kind, K t

Hungary's NPK fertilizer imports increased for the third consecutive year in 2021. The country imported approximately 302.1 thousand tonnes, marking a rise of 6.0% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 13.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.4%.

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

Over the 2018-2021 period, Russia, Poland, and Serbia were the main sources for Hungary's NPK fertilizer imports in kind. Russia accounted for 20.3% of imports, Poland for 15.7%, and Serbia for 14.1%. Together, these three countries absorbed 50.0% 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, M $ US

In 2021, Hungary's NPK fertilizer import value stood at 134.6 million US dollars, indicating a sharp advance of 43.2% compared to 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 94.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 8.6%. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 36.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 10.9%.

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

Over the 2018-2021 period, the country breakdown of Hungary's NPK fertilizer imports in value terms remained scattered. Russia accounted for 18.7% of imports, Poland for 16.8%, and Serbia for 12.8%. Together, these three countries represented just 48.3% of total flows, with no single partner standing out as clearly dominant.

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

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