Salted, brined, dried or smoked pork bellies and cuts market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The market for salted, brined, dried or smoked pork bellies and cuts in Hungary grew from 3.4 million US dollars in 2018 to a peak of 4.9 million US dollars in 2020. This expansion was supported by rising consumer demand for premium traditional products like Mangalica ham and smoked bacon, which carry higher value. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further reinforced a shift toward locally produced, traditionally preserved pork items, helping sustain market value amid broader disruptions.

After 2020, the market entered a prolonged contraction, falling to 1.7 million US dollars by 2024. Throughout this decline, underlying consumer preferences for natural, additive-free products and the introduction of new flavored variants remained present, but they did not reverse the overall downturn in market size. By 2024, the pace of decrease slowed to 7%, indicating a phase of stabilization.

Across the entire period, traditional salting and smoking methods continued to define production, reflecting enduring Hungarian culinary traditions. However, the market's trajectory was shaped more by shifting demand patterns and external shocks than by changes in production techniques or regulation.

Production salted, brined, dried or smoked pork bellies and cuts in Hungary

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Hungary's production of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, output was valued at 2 225 K $ US, marking a modest 6.8% drop compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production increased by 8.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 729 K $ US, which saw the largest increase of 33.2%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the largest decline of 12.5%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Production of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts in Hungary fell for the second consecutive year. In 2021, Hungary produced 552.0 t, representing a year-on-year loss of 10.4%. From 2018 to 2021, overall production decreased by 11.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.9%. The peak was in 2019 at 650.0 t, which also saw the largest increase of 4.5%.

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

Exports salted, brined, dried or smoked pork bellies and cuts from Hungary

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 86.5 t, with the largest decline of 21.5% occurring in 2019. In 2021, cross-border shipments surged to 150.7 t, a steep 74.3% rise from the previous year, marking the peak. This created a 1.7-fold gap between the trough in 2020 and the peak in 2021.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the top buyers of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts from Hungary were Mongolia, accounting for 48.8% of exports in kind, Georgia with 14.8%, and Romania at 10.9%. Together, these three countries made up 74.5% of total exports in kind.

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

Export data indicates irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. The lowest exports were recorded in 2019 at 471 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 26.4%. In 2021, shipments abroad jumped to 926 K $ US, an abrupt 86.7% year-on-year gain, reaching the highest level. This resulted in a 2-fold gap between the low in 2019 and the high in 2021.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Mongolia remained the leading buyer in value terms, taking 50.1% of exports, followed by Georgia at 14.2% and Romania at 9.1%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 73.3% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports salted, brined, dried or smoked pork bellies and cuts to Hungary

Imports in kind, t

After increasing for two years, imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts into Hungary declined. In 2021, imports totaled 469.8 t, down 2.8% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 38.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.5%. The largest increase of 29.2% occurred in 2019, while the maximum value was recorded in 2020 at 483.6 t.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany was the key supplier of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts to Hungary, accounting for 77.7% of total imports in kind. The remaining imports were distributed among a diverse group of other countries.

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

Following a two-year rise, imported volumes of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts into Hungary declined. In 2021, Hungary imported approximately 2 728 K $ US, a 9.9% fall compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 35.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.7%. The largest increase of 24.2% was recorded in 2020, which also saw the maximum value of 3 027 K $ US.

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

During 2018-2021, Germany continued to be the main source for salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork bellies and cuts to Hungary, taking 79.1% of total imports in value terms. The rest was spread across various other countries.

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

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