Prepared or preserved beef and offal market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the market for prepared or preserved beef and offal in Hungary expanded, with volume rising from 11 860 t to 12 880 t. This growth was supported by the rising purchasing power of the middle class, which increased demand for processed meat products.

From 2020, market volume began a multi-year contraction. In 2021, government price caps and other interventions led to a reported downturn in domestic sales of processed items. Concurrently, growing consumer health concerns over additives in processed meats started to influence buying behavior, shifting demand away from some traditional products.

The decline continued from 2022 through 2023, driven primarily by steep increases in beef prices. By 2023, retail beef prices had risen sharply, contributing to a reduction in household consumption of both fresh and processed beef. Looking ahead to 2024-2025, record-high producer prices—fueled by international trade dynamics, higher input costs, and animal disease outbreaks—further constrained supply. Consumer preferences also continued evolving toward less-processed, natural alternatives, reshaping the processed meat market.

Production prepared or preserved beef and offal in Hungary

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Hungary was one of the world's leading producers of prepared or preserved beef and offal from 2018 to 2021, ranking 14th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of prepared or preserved beef and offal, 2018-2021

World map of production of prepared or preserved beef and offal, 2018-2021

In 2021, Hungary produced 10 463 tons of prepared or preserved beef and offal, representing a significant 11.3% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 7.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 9 397 tons, which marked the largest decline of 9.6% during this timeframe.

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

Exports prepared or preserved beef and offal from Hungary

Exports in kind, t

The export market for prepared or preserved beef and offal from Hungary showed volatility between 2018 and 2021. The lowest export volume occurred in 2020 at 436 tons, while the highest was recorded in 2021 at 968 tons, representing a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2021, exports surged by 122.1% compared to the previous year. The largest decline of 32.3% was recorded in 2020.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Austria accounted for 49.2% of Hungary's prepared or preserved beef and offal exports by volume, followed by Slovakia with 11.4% and Romania with 9.2%. Together, these three countries represented 69.9% of Hungary's total export flows during this period.

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 prepared or preserved beef and offal export values showed an unstable trend from 2018 to 2021. The lowest export value was recorded in 2019 at 1 762 thousand US dollars, while the highest occurred in 2021 at 5 091 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 2.9-fold difference. In 2021, export values increased sharply by 174.5% compared to the previous year. The largest decline of 28.3% was recorded in 2019.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Austria was the main destination for Hungary's prepared or preserved beef and offal exports by value, accounting for 38.0% of total exports. Slovakia followed with 16.2%, and Romania with 13.0%. Collectively, these three countries represented 67.2% of Hungary's total export value during this period.

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

World map of product's exports from Hungary in value, 2018-2021

Imports prepared or preserved beef and offal to Hungary

Imports in kind, t

Hungary's imports of prepared or preserved beef and offal declined for the second consecutive year in 2021, reaching 1 977 tons, which represented a 22.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 26.6%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 9.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 132 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 16.2% during this timeframe.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Poland was the principal source of Hungary's prepared or preserved beef and offal imports by volume, accounting for 31.9% of total imports. Czechia followed with 19.8%, and Sweden with 13.4%. Together, these three countries supplied 65.1% of Hungary's total import volume during this period.

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 prepared or preserved beef and offal by value declined for the second consecutive year in 2021, amounting to 8 845 thousand US dollars, representing an 11.3% decrease compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, import values decreased by 21.2%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 7.6%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 12 321 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 9.8%. The largest decline of 19.0% occurred in 2020.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Poland was the primary supplier of prepared or preserved beef and offal to Hungary by value, accounting for 31.1% of total imports. Germany followed with 16.9%, and Sweden with 13.5%. Collectively, these three countries represented 61.5% of Hungary's total import value during this period.

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

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