Wood in the rough market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

The Hungarian market for wood in the rough showed considerable volatility in physical volume between 2018 and 2023. After starting at 3 542 thousand tonnes in 2018, consumption fell for two consecutive years to 2 798 thousand tonnes in 2020. A partial recovery followed in 2021, but volume dipped again in 2022 before rising to 3 438 thousand tonnes in 2023, still below the 2018 level.

In value terms, the market followed a similar pattern but with a notable surge in 2023. The market value was relatively stable from 2018 to 2019 but dropped sharply to $261.2 million in 2020. It recovered over the next two years, and in 2023, it jumped to $441.7 million, significantly exceeding earlier years, suggesting a shift in product mix or prices.

Looking ahead, several regulatory developments were noted for 2025. These included amendments to EU rules on forest reproductive material to harmonize standards, modifications to the notification system for planned logging to accommodate biomass for energy, and stricter controls for logging in protected areas. Additionally, the EU regulation combating illegal logging remained in force, requiring traceability for timber.

Production wood in the rough in Hungary

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of wood in the rough, 2018-2021

World map of production of wood in the rough, 2018-2021

Hungary's wood in the rough production rebounded after two years of contraction. In 2021, production reached 3 890 K t, marking a 20.4% year-over-year increase. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 3 232 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 10.8%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, the output value of wood in the rough in Hungary was 383.8 M $ US, up 24.3% from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production value decreased by 2.6%, translating to an annualized decline of 0.9%. The minimum value occurred in 2020 at 308.7 M $ US, while the peak was in 2019 at 408.1 M $ US. The most significant drop was in 2020, with a 24.4% decrease.

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

Exports wood in the rough from Hungary

Exports in kind, K t

Wood in the rough exports from Hungary grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports hit 839.1 K t, showing a sharp 26.6% rise compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports surged by 57.5%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 16.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Austria, Italy, and Slovakia were the primary buyers of wood in the rough from Hungary, accounting for 49.0%, 21.0%, and 10.7% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they made up 80.7% of total exports in kind.

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

In 2021, Hungary's wood in the rough export value reached 82 777 K $ US, reflecting a sharp 30.8% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 50.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.5%. The largest decline was in 2020, at 8.5%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Austria, Italy, and Slovakia consistently led as the main destinations for exports in value terms, with shares of 41.7%, 19.2%, and 9.1%, respectively. Combined, they accounted for 70.1% 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 wood in the rough to Hungary

Imports in kind, K t

Wood in the rough imports to Hungary increased after a two-year decline. In 2021, imports totaled 253.9 K t, up 10.9% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports fell by 5.2%, with a compound annual decline of 1.8%. The lowest import volume was in 2020 at 229.1 K t, and the largest drop occurred in 2019, with a 12.8% decrease.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Slovakia, Croatia, and Austria were the leading sources for wood in the rough imports to Hungary, representing 42.7%, 27.1%, and 11.2% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, they comprised 81.0% 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

Hungary's wood in the rough import value rose after a two-year decline. In 2021, imports amounted to 24 377 K $ US, showing a sharp 54.9% year-over-year uptick. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 9.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 15 739 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 23.6%.

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

In the 2018-2021 period, Slovakia, Croatia, and Austria formed the main cluster of markets for imports in value terms, with shares of 32.4%, 26.5%, and 15.0%, respectively. Their combined share was 73.9% 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