Roundwood coniferous market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The market for coniferous roundwood in Hungary experienced significant value growth, rising from $49.8 million in 2018 to $73.2 million in 2022, even as physical volume fluctuated. This was largely due to robust domestic and export demand for construction timber, while supply was held back by official harvesting quotas and unfavorable weather that reduced available raw material. International price trends, particularly increased purchasing from the United States and China, further lifted costs in Hungary, which relies heavily on wood imports.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 lengthened delivery times but did not create sustained shortages, allowing market volume to expand to 976 thousand m³ that year. A sharp price increase for softwood lumber followed in 2021, driven by continued global demand, which raised the market's total value even as consumption in cubic terms declined. Throughout the period, rising energy prices and labor shortages added to production costs.

Prices for pine logs rose another 8–12% in 2022, fueled by ongoing raw material scarcity and geopolitical instability. The market structure also evolved with the growth of online sales platforms. After reaching a high in 2022, both the volume and value of the market saw a modest contraction in 2023.

Production coniferous roundwood in Hungary

In kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Top producers of coniferous roundwood, 2018-2021

World map of production of coniferous roundwood, 2018-2021

In 2021, Hungary produced 968 thousand cubic meters of roundwood coniferous, which represents a 3.3% decrease compared to 2020. Production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 918 thousand cubic meters, while the peak was recorded in 2020 at 1,000 thousand cubic meters. The most significant growth occurred in 2020 with a 9.0% increase. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 4.6%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 1.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Roundwood coniferous production in Hungary has grown for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 62,523 thousand US dollars, showing a moderate increase of 4.2% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production expanded by 23.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.4%.

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

Exports coniferous roundwood from Hungary

Exports in kind, K m³

After two years of decline, Hungary's exports of roundwood coniferous increased in 2021. Exports totaled 225.3 thousand cubic meters, marking an 18.4% rise compared to 2020. The lowest level was recorded in 2020 at 190.3 thousand cubic meters, which also saw the largest decline of 9.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Between 2018 and 2021, Austria was the dominant market for Hungary's roundwood coniferous exports in volume terms, accounting for 79.1% of total flows, while other countries made up the remaining share.

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

In 2021, Hungary's roundwood coniferous exports reached 14,555 thousand US dollars, a 27.6% increase from 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 11,410 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 10.2%. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 20.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Austria led as the top buyer of Hungary's roundwood coniferous in value terms, with a 63.1% share, followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina at 10.7% and Slovakia at 7.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for 81.2% 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 coniferous roundwood to Hungary

Imports in kind, K m³

In 2021, Hungary's imports of roundwood coniferous amounted to 151.1 thousand cubic meters, a 9.1% decrease from 2020. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 140.6 thousand cubic meters, which also saw the largest decline of 26.4%. Imports peaked in 2020 with an 18.3% increase. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports fell by 20.9%, with a compound annual decline rate of 7.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Throughout 2018-2021, Slovakia and Poland were the main sources for Hungary's roundwood coniferous imports in volume terms, jointly accounting for 80.5% of total flows, while other partners held significantly smaller shares.

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 roundwood coniferous have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports were valued at 12,054 thousand US dollars, representing a 51.1% year-on-year rise. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 7,895 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 30.5%. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 6.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Slovakia was the leading source for Hungary's roundwood coniferous imports in value terms, with a 59.3% share, followed by Poland at 12.8% and Austria at 7.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 79.9% 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