Sulphites and thiosulphates market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume of sulphites and thiosulphates in Hungary showed considerable volatility between 2018 and 2024, starting at 2 779 t and reaching a peak of 3 707 t in the final year. After a significant increase to 3 371 t in 2019, consumption dropped sharply in 2020 before recovering strongly over the next two years. The market stabilized around 3 474 t in 2022, then contracted again in 2023, followed by a robust rebound in 2024.

In value terms, the market expanded from $1.98 million in 2018 to a high of $3.04 million in 2022, before moderating to $2.41 million in 2024. Domestic production followed a declining trend from 724 t in 2019 to 386 t in 2023, with imports consistently supplying the majority of market volume throughout the period.

By 2025, specific factors shaping the market included growing consumer health awareness, which drove demand for research into sulphur dioxide and sulphite replacements and spurred the development of 'sulphite-free' food products. Concurrently, EU Regulation 1169/2011 mandated allergen labelling for sulphites at concentrations above 10 mg/kg or 10 mg/l, directly affecting packaging and labelling requirements for market participants.

Production sulphites and thiosulphates in Hungary

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In Hungary, the output value of sulphites and thiosulphates reached 823.2 thousand US dollars in 2021, marking a 5.9% year-on-year increase. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 22%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 877.0 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2020, dropping by 11.4%, while the most significant increase was in 2019, rising by 29.9%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Hungary's production volume of sulphites and thiosulphates declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 602.0 tonnes, reflecting a moderate decrease of 3.7% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, overall production increased by 15.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. The peak volume was recorded in 2019 at 724.0 tonnes. The largest decline happened in 2020, falling by 13.7%, while the most substantial increase was in 2019, surging by 39.2%.

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

Exports sulphites and thiosulphates from Hungary

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 3.8-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Hungary exported 546 tonnes of sulphites and thiosulphates, indicating a strong decline of 11.0% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 617 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 284.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Slovakia, Serbia, and Germany were the leading destinations for Hungary's exports in kind. Slovakia accounted for 23.1% of exports, Serbia for 22.4%, and Germany for 13.2%, together representing 58.7% 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

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Exports bottomed in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.4-fold difference. In 2021, Hungary exported 739 thousand US dollars worth of sulphites and thiosulphates, amounting to a measured drop of 7.8% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2020 at 801 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase in 2019 at 215.9%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, three principal markets—Serbia, Slovakia, and Germany—collectively accounted for 56.3% of the total export value of sulphites and thiosulphates from Hungary.

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

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

Imports sulphites and thiosulphates to Hungary

Imports in kind, t

Hungary imported 3 392 tonnes of sulphites and thiosulphates in 2021, up by 30.4% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 40.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 11.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, dropping by 20.3%, while the most significant increase was in 2019, rising by 34.9%.

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

Over the period from 2018 to 2021, Italy and Germany consistently accounted for 81.3% of Hungary's total imports in kind, indicating a high degree of market concentration alongside a long tail of smaller markets.

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

In 2021, Hungary's import value of sulphites and thiosulphates came to 2 086 thousand US dollars, up by 37.2% over the past year. From 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 36%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 1 520 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 19.8%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands played leading roles in Hungary's imports in value terms. Italy accounted for 36.1% of imports, Germany for 34.7%, and the Netherlands for 6.0%, jointly taking 76.8% 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