Pork market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The Hungarian pork market volume showed initial stability around 370 thousand tons in 2018-2019, supported by a VAT reduction to 5% for pork and simplified HACCP rules for small producers. However, it contracted sharply to 307.7 thousand tons in 2020, primarily due to the impact of African swine fever and rising feed costs, which prompted a HUF 4 billion state aid program to support pig farmers.

A strong recovery followed in 2021, with production surging to 473.8 thousand tons and market volume reaching 452.9 thousand tons. This rebound was driven by extended state animal welfare subsidies and a 54% increase in EU-contract slaughterhog prices. Subsequent years saw the market adjust under cost pressures from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, while ongoing state support and the introduction of mandatory origin labeling for unpackaged pork continued to shape conditions through 2023.

Regulatory developments marked the later period, including the 2024 abolition of the price cap on pork ham and the implementation of stricter EU animal welfare labeling (HF2). Updated hygiene rules for small producers and global market pressures, such as production growth in China and falling feed costs, were also noted factors influencing the sector's trade and cost structure into 2025.

Production pork in Hungary

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2020, Hungary's pork production was valued at 866.8 million US dollars, marking a 6.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2020 period, production grew by 8.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 923.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 15.2%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Hungary ranked 30th globally in pork production volume.

Top producers of pork, 2018-2021

World map of production of pork, 2018-2021

In 2020, Hungary produced 473.8 thousand tons of pork, representing a significant 42.9% increase from 2019. Over the 2018-2020 period, production rose by 36.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.8%. The peak was reached in 2021 at 473.8 thousand tons, which also experienced the largest increase of 42.9%.

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

Exports pork from Hungary

Exports in kind, K t

Hungary's pork export volume has grown for three consecutive years. In 2021, exports reached 159.3 thousand tons, showing a moderate year-on-year increase of 7.8%. From 2018 to 2021, exports expanded by 24.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.5%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the three largest markets for Hungary's pork exports in volume terms were Romania, Italy, and Croatia, which together accounted for 56.9% 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

In 2021, Hungary's pork exports were valued at 397.2 million US dollars, reflecting a 4.6% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value grew by 24.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 0.5%, while the highest increase was in 2019 at 19.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Romania, Italy, and Croatia were consistently the top destinations for Hungary's pork exports in value terms, representing 31.7%, 11.1%, and 10.1% of exports respectively. Together, they accounted for 52.9% 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 pork to Hungary

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Hungary imported 138.4 thousand tons of pork, an 11.7% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 8.6%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 2.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 123.9 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 156.2 thousand tons. The largest drop occurred in 2020 at 20.7%.

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

During 2018-2021, Germany, Spain, and Poland were the main sources of Hungary's pork imports in volume terms, accounting for 30.4%, 15.3%, and 12.9% of imports respectively. Together, they made up 58.7% 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

Hungary's pork import value declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports totaled 297.5 million US dollars, a 5.1% decrease from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, import value fell by 8.6%, with an average annual decline of 2.9%. The peak was in 2019 at 373.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 14.7%, while the largest drop was in 2020 at 16.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Spain, and Poland were the largest suppliers of pork to Hungary in value terms, representing 28.7%, 18.6%, and 13.3% of imports respectively. Together, they constituted 60.5% 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