Wheat and meslin market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the Hungarian wheat and meslin market fluctuated significantly from 2018 to 2023, declining from 3.25 million tons in 2018 to a low of 2.28 million tons in 2020 before recovering to 3.31 million tons in 2023.

Production was severely impacted by weather extremes, most notably the intense drought and heat in 2022 which led to yields 25% below the previous year and an early harvest. This production shortfall was partly offset by increased imports, while global market pressures, including heightened competition from Ukrainian wheat exports, influenced Hungary's export opportunities and domestic supply.

Structural changes such as shifts in cropping patterns toward soy and rye, alongside a growing consumer preference for chemical-free and transparently sourced wheat products, began to reshape the market. The emphasis on developing irrigation and adopting flexible farming systems emerged as key responses to climate variability and economic challenges.

Production wheat and meslin in Hungary

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

On a global scale, Hungary ranked as the 26th largest producer of wheat and meslin during the period from 2018 to 2021.

Top producers of wheat and meslin, 2018-2021

World map of production of wheat and meslin, 2018-2021

In 2021, Hungary produced 5 290 K t of wheat and meslin, marking a 3.3% increase compared to the previous year. Production reached its highest level in 2019 at 5 378 K t, while the lowest was recorded in 2020 at 5 121 K t. The most significant decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 4.8%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, the output of wheat and meslin in Hungary was valued at 1 359 M $ US, representing a substantial 31.9% rise over the past year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 25.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9%. The lowest value was observed in 2020 at 1 031 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 9.3%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin from Hungary

Exports in kind, K t

After two consecutive years of growth, Hungary's exports of wheat and meslin declined in 2021, totaling 2 474 K t—a 16.9% decrease compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports increased by 14.8%, with a CAGR of 4.7%. The peak was reached in 2020 at 2 977 K t, which also experienced the largest increase of 28.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Italy, Austria, and Romania were the primary markets for Hungary's wheat and meslin exports in kind, accounting for 43.0%, 18.1%, and 14.8% of total flows, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 75.9% of all exports.

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 wheat and meslin exports in value terms grew for the third consecutive year in 2021, reaching 635.9 M $ US—a 6.2% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports surged by 43.4%, with a CAGR of 12.8%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Italy, Austria, and Romania remained the key buyers of Hungarian wheat and meslin in value terms, with shares of 41.9%, 17.4%, and 15.0%, respectively. Collectively, they accounted for 74.2% of total export value.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin to Hungary

Imports in kind, K t

Hungary's imports of wheat and meslin in kind increased for the second year in a row in 2021, totaling 165 K t—a solid 23.4% year-over-year rise. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 10.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 101 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 32.2%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2020, with a 31.9% jump.

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

Throughout the 2018-2021 period, Slovakia dominated Hungary's wheat and meslin import structure in kind, holding an 86.3% share of total flows, while other markets contributed relatively modest amounts.

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

Hungary's wheat and meslin imports in value terms rose for the second consecutive year in 2021, standing at 42.7 M $ US—a significant 56.7% increase from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports climbed by 33.2%, with an annualized rate of 10.0%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 21.7 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 32.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Slovakia was the dominant source for Hungary's wheat and meslin imports in value terms, accounting for 77.2% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among several smaller markets.

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

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