Travel bags, rucksacks and similar containers market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for travel bags, rucksacks, and similar containers in Hungary grew from 55.2 million US dollars in 2018 to 57.2 million in 2019, stabilizing at 56.6 million in 2020. The initial increase was driven by higher purchasing power following government-mandated rises in minimum wages and public sector salaries, which boosted consumer spending. Concurrently, retail sector expansion improved access to domestic products, while growing tourism in Budapest specifically lifted demand for suitcases and travel bags. In 2020, despite a decline in tourism due to the COVID-19 pandemic, demand shifted toward backpacks and sports bags for local use, supporting overall market volume. Online sales channels also expanded significantly as movement restrictions altered shopping behavior.

From 2021 onward, as pandemic restrictions eased, a recovery in tourism revitalized demand for travel luggage. Hungarian consumers continued to favor locally crafted leather goods, and new product segments emerged, such as insulated food and beverage bags catering to the growing fast-food delivery market. In 2022, a tourism rebound, particularly among international visitors, further strengthened demand. Consumer preferences increasingly shifted toward sustainable and fashionable items, spurring product development and the introduction of new segments like smart backpacks and multifunctional sports bags by state-owned enterprises and major market players.

In the following years, import values for bags and similar containers into Hungary continued to rise, reaching 118.3 million US dollars by 2025, while exports increased to 38.0 million dollars, reflecting sustained market activity and trade flows.

Production travel bags, rucksacks and similar containers in Hungary

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2020, Hungary's production of travel bags, rucksacks, and similar containers was valued at 1 532 K $ US, marking a 39.4% decrease from the previous year. Production peaked in 2019 at 2 527 K $ US, which represented a 24.6% increase. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, production declined by 24.5%, translating to an annualized rate of 8.9%.

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

Exports travel bags, rucksacks and similar containers from Hungary

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes of travel bags, rucksacks, and similar containers from Hungary showed significant fluctuations during the period. The minimum volume was recorded in 2020 at 933 t, which was a 76.4% decline. In contrast, the maximum volume occurred in 2019 at 3 945 t, reflecting a 65.8% increase. By 2021, exports rebounded to 1 488 t, representing a 59.6% year-over-year advance. The difference between the peak in 2019 and the low in 2020 was 4.2 times.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main markets for Hungary's exports in kind were Czechia, accounting for 23.9% of exports, Ukraine with 19.3%, and Slovakia at 9.1%. Together, these three countries represented 52.2% 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

Hungary's exports of travel bags, rucksacks, and similar containers in value terms reached 23 513 K $ US in 2021, showing a 68.9% uptick compared to 2020. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 13 921 K $ US, which marked a 39.1% decline. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 33.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 10.1%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the geographical structure of Hungary's exports in value terms was highly diversified. Slovakia accounted for 13.0% of exports, Czechia for 12.5%, and Romania for 11.6%, with these three countries together making up only 37.1% of total flows. The remaining 62.9% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Imports travel bags, rucksacks and similar containers to Hungary

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Hungary's import volumes of travel bags, rucksacks, and similar containers increased in 2021, reaching 6 845 t, which represented an 18.4% year-over-year rise. The minimum volume was recorded in 2020 at 5 780 t, reflecting a 36.9% decline. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 28.3%, translating to an annualized rate of 10.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main sources for Hungary's imports in kind were China, which accounted for 48.3% of imports, Germany with 14.2%, and Poland at 7.2%. This cluster of markets together formed 69.7% of total import flows.

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 travel bags, rucksacks, and similar containers amounted to 84 902 K $ US, up by 23.0% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 69 033 K $ US, which marked an 11.0% decline. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 20%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.3%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the largest suppliers of travel bags, rucksacks, and similar containers to Hungary in value terms were China, accounting for 24.7% of imports, Germany with 17.2%, and Hong Kong at 8.8%. Together, these three suppliers formed 50.7% 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