Waxed, oiled or glycerol impregnated paper and paperboard market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for waxed, oiled or glycerol impregnated paper and paperboard in Hungary experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2025. Starting at 226 tons in 2018, it more than doubled to 521 tons in 2019. After a dip in 2020, volume surged to over 1 100 tons in 2021, remained high in 2022 and 2023, then dropped to 680 tons in 2024 before recovering to nearly 1 450 tons in 2025. In value terms, the market grew from 1.5 million USD in 2018 to 2.8 million USD in 2024.

Key drivers behind these movements included supply-side constraints and regulatory shifts. In 2021, a shortage of paper and board materials in Hungary, coupled with rising prices, led to a sharp increase in imports to meet demand, explaining the volume spike. The following year, growing demand for heat-retaining packaging for food delivery and sustainability trends helped maintain high consumption levels. By 2025, the upcoming EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and stronger consumer preferences for sustainable, recyclable packaging began shaping the market, contributing to the volume recovery as companies adapted to new requirements.

Production waxed, oiled or glycerol impregnated paper and paperboard in Hungary

In value, 2018-2021, $ US

In 2019, Hungary's production of waxed, oiled, or glycerol-impregnated paper and paperboard was valued at 17 654 US dollars. This represented a significant decline of 40.1% compared to the previous year, 2018.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, kg

In 2019, Hungary produced 3 420 kilograms of waxed, oiled, or glycerol-impregnated paper and paperboard. This marked a substantial increase of 242.0% from 2018.

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

Exports waxed, oiled or glycerol impregnated paper and paperboard from Hungary

Exports in kind, t

After declining for two consecutive years, Hungary's exports of waxed, oiled, or glycerol-impregnated paper and paperboard began to recover. In 2021, exports reached 336 metric tons, showing little change from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports fell by 63.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -28.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 334 metric tons, while the sharpest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 58.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Italy, Romania, and Croatia were the leading destinations for Hungary's exports of waxed, oiled, or glycerol-impregnated paper and paperboard by volume. Italy accounted for 33.3% of exports, Romania for 23.1%, and Croatia for 9.4%. Together, these three countries represented 65.9% 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

Following a two-year downturn, Hungary's cross-border shipments of waxed, oiled, or glycerol-impregnated paper and paperboard saw an upturn. In 2021, export value totaled 1 020 thousand US dollars, reflecting a strong increase of 15.0% compared to 2020. However, from 2018 to 2021, overall export value decreased by 51.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -21.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 886 thousand US dollars, and the most significant drop occurred in 2019, falling by 55.2%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Italy, Romania, and Croatia formed the core group of partners for Hungary's exports of waxed, oiled, or glycerol-impregnated paper and paperboard by value. Italy contributed 29.0% of export value, Romania 24.8%, and Croatia 9.9%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 63.8% 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 waxed, oiled or glycerol impregnated paper and paperboard to Hungary

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2021, Hungary imported 1 502 metric tons of waxed, oiled, or glycerol-impregnated paper and paperboard, a dramatic increase of 89.9% from 2020. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 791 metric tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 21.6%. Overall, imports fluctuated significantly, with a 1.9-fold difference between the peak in 2021 and the trough in 2020.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Poland, Germany, and the Netherlands were the key sources for Hungary's imports of waxed, oiled, or glycerol-impregnated paper and paperboard by volume. Poland accounted for 28.8% of imports, Germany for 23.5%, and the Netherlands for 18.4%. Together, these three countries made up 70.7% 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

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during these years. In 2021, Hungary imported approximately 4 126 thousand US dollars worth of waxed, oiled, or glycerol-impregnated paper and paperboard, an 80.5% rise compared to 2020. The lowest import value was recorded in 2020 at 2 286 thousand US dollars, and the steepest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 28.5%. Import levels varied widely, with a 1.8-fold difference between the high in 2021 and the low in 2020.

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

During 2018–2021, Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of Hungary's imports of waxed, oiled, or glycerol-impregnated paper and paperboard by value. Germany represented 25.4% of import value, Poland 22.8%, and the Netherlands 17.3%. Combined, these three countries held a 65.5% share 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