Sulphites market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The Hungarian sulphites market experienced moderate growth from 2018 to 2020, with volume increasing from 1 996 t to 2 102 t. This coincided with tightening emissions regulations under the EU ETS, where reforms and rising carbon quota prices in 2019 incentivized industrial facilities to invest in emission control technologies, including the use of sulphites for flue gas desulphurization. In 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic reducing economic activity, market expansion continued, partly due to the announced EU Fit for 55 package which set stricter emission standards and may have spurred preparatory stockpiling.

A sharp market surge occurred in 2021 and 2022, with volumes reaching 2 822 t and 3 042 t respectively. The post-pandemic economic recovery in 2021 boosted industrial demand for sulphites across various sectors. Furthermore, the energy crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine in 2022 led to a temporary rise in coal-fired power generation, increasing the need for sulphites in emission abatement processes to comply with environmental norms.

Market volume corrected to 2 539 t in 2023 before rebounding strongly to 3 496 t in 2024. The 2024 recovery underscores sustained industrial demand, likely supported by the ongoing energy transition and corporate climate commitments aimed at reducing sulphur dioxide emissions.

Production sulphites in Hungary

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In Hungary, the output value of sulphites reached 823.2 thousand US dollars in 2021, marking a 5.9% increase compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 22%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 6.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 877.0 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 11.4%, while the largest increase was observed 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 sulphites production declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 602.0 tonnes of sulphites, down 3.7% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, overall production increased by 15.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. The peak production was in 2019 at 724.0 tonnes. The most substantial decrease happened in 2020, falling by 13.7%, whereas the largest increase was in 2019, up by 39.2%.

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

Exports sulphites from Hungary

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes hit their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.1-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Hungary exported 539 tonnes of sulphites, which is 10.5% less than the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 614 tonnes, with the largest increase also occurring in that year, surging by 306.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main destinations for Hungary's sulphites exports in kind were Slovakia, accounting for 22.9% of exports, Serbia with 21.9%, and Germany at 13.5%. Together, these three countries made up 58.3% 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 performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The lowest export value was in 2018, while the highest was in 2020, resulting in a 3.6-fold gap. In 2021, Hungary's sulphites exports totaled 730 thousand US dollars, a 6.8% decrease year-over-year. The peak value was recorded in 2020 at 783 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase happened in 2019, jumping by 231.8%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Slovakia and Serbia each accounted for 21.5% of Hungary's sulphites exports in value terms, with Germany contributing 12.6%. Combined, these three countries represented 55.7% of total export flows.

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 to Hungary

Imports in kind, t

Hungary's sulphites imports have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 2 759 tonnes, up 32.7% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 69.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Italy and Germany were the leading sources for Hungary's sulphites imports in kind, together making up 80.5% of total flows, while the remainder was spread across 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

Foreign sulphites supplies to Hungary have risen for the third year in a row. In 2021, imports amounted to 1 743 thousand US dollars, a sharp increase of 33.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 61.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 17.4%.

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

Over the period from 2018 to 2021, Italy was the primary supplier of sulphites to Hungary in value terms, accounting for 38.5% of imports, followed by Germany at 35.5%, and the Netherlands at 7.8%. Together, these three countries comprised 81.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

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