Hungary Trade Surplus Widens Sharply in June

Hungary recorded a trade deficit of EUR 480.9 million in August 2026, shifting from a surplus of EUR 658.6 million in the same month last year. Exports rose 15.8% year-on-year to EUR 12,044.0 million, driven by increased shipments of machinery and transport equipment, offsetting declines in processed products, energy carriers, and food, beverages and tobacco. Among key partners, exports increased in EU markets (2.3%), while falling in non-EU countries (-1.8%). Meanwhile, imports climbed 28.6% to EUR 12,524.9 million, supported by higher purchases of machinery and transport equipment and processed products, offsetting declines in food, beverages and tobacco and energy carriers. Imports increased in both EU (8.2%) and non-EU markets (24%). In the January-August period, the trade surplus totaled EUR 4,879.8 million, down from EUR 7,019.4 million in the same period last year, with exports increasing 9.3% and imports rising 12.4%.

Hungary’s trade surplus narrowed sharply to EUR 69 million in July 2026 from EUR 503 million in the corresponding month a year ago, and well below market expectations of a EUR 1,305 million surplus. This marked the smallest surplus since a deficit in July 2024, as exports rose less than imports. Exports grew 10.8% year-on-year to EUR 13,661 million in July, driven by increased shipments of machinery and transport equipment, though partly offset by weaker exports of manufactured goods and fuels and electric energy. Meanwhile, imports climbed 14.9% to EUR 13,592 million, supported by higher purchases of machinery and transport equipment, though curbed by a decrease in manufactured goods. For the first seven months of the year, the country’s trade surplus fell to EUR 4,981 million from EUR 6,361 million in the same period last year.

Hungary’s trade balance posted a surplus of EUR 1,305.4 million in June 2026, widening sharply from EUR 786.8 million in the corresponding month of the previous year, as export growth outpaced imports. Exports jumped 21% year-on-year to EUR 14,944.5 million, driven largely by higher sales of machinery and transport equipment and food, beverages, and tobacco, which more than offset the declines in energy carriers. By trade partners, exports both increased in the EU (+6.8%) and non-EU countries (+11%). Meanwhile, imports advanced by 18% to EUR 13,639.0 million, lifted by increased purchases of processed products and machinery and transport equipment. Imports recorded an increase in EU (+3.4%) and non-EU countries (+12%). For the first half of 2026, the trade surplus narrowed to EUR 5,044.6 million from EUR 5,749.3 million a year earlier, as exports rose by 8.3%, while imports grew at a faster 10%.