Rye market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The Hungarian rye market volume fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, peaking at 89 936 t in 2019. After a moderate decline to around 82 705 t by 2021, the market contracted sharply to 59 580 t in 2022. This drop coincided with a poor domestic wheat harvest and a period of falling global grain prices, which affected the broader cereal sector. A strong recovery to 86 324 t followed in 2023, supported by a bumper grain harvest and lower wheat prices that improved market conditions.

In the wider context, the grain market environment has been shaped by factors such as government export support and a growing price divergence based on wheat quality. Global supply forecasts pointed towards tighter conditions, contributing to price volatility across cereals, including rye.

Production rye in Hungary

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Hungary was among the world's leading rye producers from 2018 to 2021, ranking 22nd globally by production volume.

Top producers of rye, 2018-2021

World map of production of rye, 2018-2021

In 2021, Hungary produced 85 010 tonnes of rye, marking a 0.8% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 3.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 90 540 tonnes, while the lowest was in 2020 at 84 350 tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2020 with a 6.8% decrease, whereas the largest increase was in 2019 with a 2.5% rise.

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

Exports rye from Hungary

Exports in kind, t

Rye exports from Hungary increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country exported 8 797 tonnes of rye, representing a 22.8% growth over the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 2.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 856 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 35.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main markets for Hungary's rye exports in volume terms were Austria, accounting for 40.8% of exports, Romania with 14.0%, and Germany at 9.3%. Together, these three countries made up 64.2% 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

The export market showed an unstable trend during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1 374 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2021 at 2 893 thousand US dollars, resulting in a 2.1-fold variation. In 2021, rye exports from Hungary totaled 2 893 thousand US dollars, reflecting a substantial increase of 70.8% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 39.1% drop.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the principal buyers of Hungarian rye in value terms were Austria, contributing 45.3% of export value, Germany at 11.6%, and Romania with 10.2%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 67.1% 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 rye to Hungary

Imports in kind, t

Hungary's rye imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country imported 6 492 tonnes of rye, showing a modest 2.1% rise over the past year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports surged by 229.3%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 48.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Slovakia dominated Hungary's rye imports in volume terms, accounting for 75.3% of total flows, while other countries made up the remaining share.

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

Foreign rye supplies to Hungary increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 1 593 thousand US dollars, indicating a measured gain of 6.0% year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 158.8%, with an average annual increase of 37.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main sources of Hungary's rye imports in value terms were Slovakia, representing 51.8% of import value, Germany at 22.1%, and the Netherlands with 18.3%. Together, these three countries accounted for 92.2% of total import flows.

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

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