Hungary Industrial Output Rises for 1st Time in Almost 2 Years

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.

Industrial production in Hungary rose by 0.9% year-on-year in April 2026, slowing from a 6.7% increase in the previous month, according to preliminary estimates. he reading marked the second consecutive annual increase, although production declined across most manufacturing subsectors compared with a year earlier. Among the most important sub-sectors, output expanded in transport equipment and in computer, electronic, and optical products manufacturing. In contrast, production fell in electrical equipment as well as food, beverages, and tobacco products. On a seasonally and working-day-adjusted basis, industrial output increased by 1.1% in April, easing from a 3.1% rise in March. In the first four months of 2026, industrial production was 1.0% higher than in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Industrial production in Hungary rose 6.7% year-on-year in March 2026, matching preliminary estimates and rebounding sharply from a downwardly revised 0.9% decline in the previous month. It marked the strongest annual growth since September 2022, driven by broad-based gains across most manufacturing industries (7% vs -0.3% in February), which account for roughly 95% of total industrial output. Production mainly increased for computer, electronic and optical products (21.9% vs 24.6%) and machinery and equipment (20.3% vs 0.8%). In addition, output in mining and quarrying as well as electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply rebounded by 7.5% and 2.3%, respectively, following four consecutive months of decline. On a seasonally and working-day-adjusted basis, industrial output increased by 3.1%, after a 1.8% drop in February. Over the first three months of the year, industrial activity was 1% higher than in the same period last year.