Hungary Industrial Output Contraction Confirmed at 8.7%

Industrial production in Hungary fell 0.4% year-on-year in May 2026, confirming preliminary estimates and reversing a 0.9% increase in the previous month. Manufacturing output, which accounts for 96% of total industrial production, was flat after rising 0.9% in April. Most manufacturing subsectors remained in decline, led by food, beverages and tobacco (-4.5% vs -1.6%), rubber, plastics and non-metallic mineral products (-4.9% vs -4.0%), and electrical equipment (-5.3% vs -1.5%). Meanwhile, output in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply also fell (-9.6% vs 0.2%), while mining and quarrying production continued to grow, albeit at a slower pace (47.0% vs 72.1%). On a seasonally and working-day adjusted basis, industrial output rose 2.3% in May, rebounding from a 1.1% decline in April.

Industrial production in Hungary fell 0.4% year-on-year in May 2026, reversing from a 0.9% increase in the previous month and marking the weakest reading since February, according to preliminary estimates. Output declined across most manufacturing sub-sectors compared with a year earlier. Among the key industries, production decreased in electrical equipment as well as food, beverages, and tobacco products. Meanwhile, output continued to grow in vehicle manufacturing and the production of computer, electronic, and optical products. On a seasonally and working-day adjusted basis, industrial production rose 2.3% in May, recovering from a 1.1% fall in the previous month. In the first five months of 2026, industrial production was 0.7% higher than in the corresponding period a year earlier.

Industrial production in Hungary grew by 0.9% year-on-year in April 2026, confirming initial estimates and slowing from a 6.7% increase in the previous month. This marked the second consecutive month of growth in industrial activity, albeit at a softer pace, driven largely by a slower increase in manufacturing output (0.9% vs 7.0% in March), which accounts for 96% of total industrial production. Most manufacturing sub-sectors recorded a decline, mainly food, beverages and tobacco products (-1.6% vs 9.2%), electrical equipment (-1.5% vs 11.4%), and rubber, plastics and non-metallic mineral products (-4.0% vs 2.8%). In addition, output growth in electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply softened (0.2% vs 2.3%). Meanwhile, mining production surged by 72.1%, accelerating from a 7.5% gain in March. On a seasonally and working-day-adjusted basis, industrial output declined by 1.1% in April, slipping from a 3.1% rise in the preceding period.