Plastic household articles and hygienic or toilet articles market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the market volume for plastic household and hygienic articles in Hungary reached 17 518 t. By 2019, it fell to 13 556 t, reflecting a broad market contraction. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 boosted demand for hygienic paper products, contributing to a recovery in market volume to 15 154 t, though the increase was moderate due to technological constraints in the paper industry.

After 2020, environmental regulations, including a ban on single-use plastics, began reducing plastic usage and stimulated demand for paper-based alternatives. In 2022, a more than doubling of international pulp prices raised production costs significantly, forcing manufacturers to increase prices. Simultaneously, deteriorating consumer purchasing power led to a demand decline, with a noted 9% drop from 2022 to 2023. Import volumes, which had risen to 19 727 t in 2022, started to contract in subsequent years, indicating pressure on domestic consumption.

Consumer preferences shifted toward convenient, environmentally packaged products, prompting players like Piszke Papír to introduce innovative packaging solutions such as foil-free paper boxes. The growth of e-commerce and omnichannel strategies also reshaped distribution channels, while retail chains intensified pressure on producers to cut costs. By 2024, volatile raw material prices and high energy costs continued to affect production and pricing, creating challenging market conditions.

Production plastic household and hygienic articles in Hungary

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In Hungary, the production value of plastic household and hygienic articles reached 120.8 million US dollars in 2020, representing a modest 1.9% increase from the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2020, overall production declined by 2.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 118.5 million US dollars, which also saw the steepest decline of 4.3%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Hungary produced 18 108 tonnes of plastic household and hygienic articles in 2020, showing a slight increase of 9.3% compared to 2019. Over the three-year span from 2018 to 2020, production fell by 21.3%, translating to an average annual decrease of 7.7%. The production volume hit its lowest point in 2019 at 16 563 tonnes, with that year experiencing the most significant drop of 28.0%.

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

Exports plastic household and hygienic articles from Hungary

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, Hungary's exports of plastic household and hygienic articles totaled 13 494 tonnes, reflecting a notable decline of 14.2% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 8.2%, averaging an annual reduction of 2.8%. The peak export volume occurred in 2020 at 15 734 tonnes, which also recorded the largest increase of 7.9%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Slovakia were the primary markets for Hungary's exports of plastic household and hygienic articles in volume terms. Germany accounted for 44.7% of exports, followed by the United Kingdom at 6.8% and Slovakia at 6.1%. Together, these three countries represented 57.6% 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, K $ US

Hungary's export value of plastic household and hygienic articles stood at 68 663 thousand US dollars in 2021, marking a sharp decrease of 24.5% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports fell by 22.7%, with an annualized decline rate of 8.2%. The highest export value was recorded in 2020 at 90 988 thousand US dollars, which also saw the most substantial increase of 19.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom were the leading destinations for Hungary's exports of plastic household and hygienic articles in value terms. Germany held a 41.9% share, the United States accounted for 7.7%, and the United Kingdom made up 6.0%. Collectively, these three markets represented 55.6% 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 plastic household and hygienic articles to Hungary

Imports in kind, t

Hungary's imports of plastic household and hygienic articles grew for the third consecutive year in 2021, reaching 16 321 tonnes. This represented a sharp year-on-year increase of 27.7%. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports surged by 77.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 21.0%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Poland, Slovakia, and Germany were the main suppliers of plastic household and hygienic articles to Hungary in volume terms. Poland contributed 33.3% of imports, Slovakia accounted for 12.5%, and Germany made up 11.1%. Together, these three countries supplied 56.9% of total import volume.

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 imports of plastic household and hygienic articles continued to rise for the third year in a row in 2021, totaling 68 066 thousand US dollars. This marked a significant increase of 34.6% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 58.8%, with an annualized growth rate of 16.7%.

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

Over the period from 2018 to 2021, Poland, Germany, and Slovakia were the key sources for Hungary's imports of plastic household and hygienic articles in value terms. Poland accounted for 27.5% of imports, Germany for 16.9%, and Slovakia for 9.5%. Combined, these three countries represented 53.9% 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