Rice market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The Hungarian rice market volume saw moderate growth from 51 081 т in 2018 to 52 607 т in 2020. During this phase, domestic production remained limited and largely export-oriented, while EU common market organization rules provided a stabilization framework without direct intervention purchases in Hungary.

Volatility marked the 2021-2023 period. Market volume fell sharply to 41 292 т in 2021, then rebounded to 54 357 т in 2022 as global supply uncertainty from the Russia-Ukraine war and India's export restrictions on milled rice disrupted trade flows and affected import volumes. The following year, volume declined to 47 489 т after India eased its export limits, boosting global availability, and as shifting consumer preferences among urban youth toward wheat-based foods reduced traditional rice consumption.

Production rice in Hungary

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of rice, 2018-2021

World map of production of rice, 2018-2021

In 2021, Hungary produced 9 520 tons of rice, marking an 18.9% decrease compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 29.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 10.8%. The most significant increase occurred in 2020, with a rise of 6.4%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, the value of rice output in Hungary was 11 332 thousand US dollars, showing a modest year-over-year decline of 8.5%. From 2018 to 2021, production value decreased by 6.5%, averaging a 2.2% annualized reduction. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 10 414 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2020 at 12 386 thousand US dollars. The largest drop occurred in 2019 with a 14.1% decrease, and the biggest increase was in 2020 with an 18.9% rise.

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

Exports rice from Hungary

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, rice exports from Hungary reached 5 011 tons, up by 3.7% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 7.4%, equating to an average annual increase of 2.4%. The largest decline was in 2020 at 0.8%, while the most significant increase was in 2019 with a 4.5% rise.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Slovakia, Germany, and Romania remained the top buyers of Hungarian rice in terms of volume, accounting for 36.0%, 29.0%, and 23.9% of exports, respectively. Together, they represented 88.9% of total rice exports from Hungary.

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 rice exports in value terms have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 5 965 thousand US dollars, a 16.9% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 41.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.3%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Slovakia, Germany, and Romania led as the primary buyers of Hungarian rice by value, with shares of 35.0%, 30.2%, and 23.6%, respectively. Their combined share accounted for 88.8% 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 rice to Hungary

Imports in kind, t

Rice imports into Hungary declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports stood at 36 783 tons, a 19.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports fell by 13.1%, with an average annual decline of 4.6%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 45 879 tons, and the largest increase occurred that same year with an 8.4% rise.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Italy, Slovakia, and Myanmar were the main suppliers of rice to Hungary by volume, contributing 38.8%, 18.4%, and 9.1% of imports, respectively. Together, they made up 66.3% of total rice imports.

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

After two years of growth, Hungary's rice imports in value terms declined. In 2021, imports reached 29 994 thousand US dollars, representing a moderate 4.8% decrease compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 8%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.6%. The peak value was in 2020 at 31 511 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a 7.9% rise.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Italy, Slovakia, and Germany were the leading sources of rice imports to Hungary by value, with shares of 36.5%, 16.2%, and 10.3%, respectively. Collectively, they accounted for 63.0% 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