Sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The market for sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters in Hungary opened the period at 1 162 M l in 2018, a year marked by the entry of new players like MOL with its Fonte Natura brand and significant production capacity expansions, such as Szentkirályi-Kékkúti Ásványvíz Kft. doubling its bottling line capacity. The flavoured water segment experienced explosive growth, with sales multiplying more than tenfold, reflecting a shift in consumer preferences. Market volume then receded to 1 061 M l in 2019 and 1 037 M l in 2020, while major producers like Magyarvíz Kft. focused on consolidating market share and launching environmental labeling initiatives.

A strong recovery followed in 2021, with volume rising to 1 233 M l, supported by the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and the rebound of the hospitality sector, which boosted consumption. Growth accelerated to 1 375 M l in 2022, driven by a wave of product innovation and capacity investments. Key developments included Coca-Cola Hungary introducing a new infant-suitable Naturaqua product, AVE Ásványvíz Kft. entering the flavoured and aerated segment, and Fonyódi Ásványvíz Kft. reporting a 20% sales increase for its 1.5-litre range.

After the 2022 peak, market volume contracted to 1 265 M l in 2023 before stabilizing at 1 262 M l in 2024. In value terms, the market demonstrated notable resilience, increasing from $570.7 million in 2022 to $720.8 million in 2023, indicating a consumer shift towards higher-value products, consistent with the sustained industry trend towards sugar-free and health-oriented offerings.

Production sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters in Hungary

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Hungary's production of sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2021, output reached 667.6 million US dollars, marking a significant 21.6% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 7.9%, with the lowest value recorded in 2020 at 548.8 million US dollars. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 7.4%, translating to an annualized rate of 2.4%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, M l

In 2021, Hungary produced 1,237 million litres of sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters, reflecting a 19.6% gain compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 13.4%, with the minimum value that year at 1,034 million litres. From 2018 to 2021, production increased by 3.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, M l

Exports sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters from Hungary

Exports in kind, M l

Hungary's exports of sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totalled 310.5 million litres, showing a substantial 15.3% rise from a year earlier. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 12.8%, with the minimum value that year at 249.4 million litres. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 8.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, M l

From 2018 to 2021, Hungary's exports of sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters were not heavily concentrated. The top destinations—Romania (21.5% of exports in kind), Austria (10.0%), and Czechia (9.5%)—together accounted for only 41.1% of total 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, M $ US

Hungary's export value of sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports amounted to 236.4 million US dollars, a 24.4% amplification compared to 2020. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 11.6%, with the minimum value that year at 170.6 million US dollars. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports rose by 22.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.0%.

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

During 2018–2021, Hungary's sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters were exported to a diverse range of markets. Even the largest destinations—Romania, Bulgaria, and Slovakia—together represented only 40.8% 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 sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters to Hungary

Imports in kind, M l

In 2021, Hungary's imports of sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters reached 306.5 million litres, representing a solid 12.9% year-over-year rise. The largest decline occurred in 2020, at 2.0%. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 20.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, M l

From 2018 to 2021, the main suppliers of sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters to Hungary were Czechia (34.3% of imports in kind), Austria (30.1%), and Poland (15.4%), together comprising 79.8% of total imports in kind.

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, M $ US

In 2021, Hungary's import value of sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters totalled 101.1 million US dollars, marking a 17.2% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2020, at 11.2%, with the minimum value that year at 86.3 million US dollars. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 6.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.2%.

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

Over 2018–2021, the main sources for Hungary's imports of sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters in value terms were Czechia (27.4% of imports), Austria (26.3%), and Poland (16.9%), together representing 70.5% of total flows.

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

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