Hungary: Caustic Soda Market 2024

Caustic Soda Market Size in Hungary

The Hungarian caustic soda market fell to $X in 2021, waning by -14.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a perceptible curtailment. Caustic soda consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Caustic Soda Production in Hungary

In value terms, caustic soda production shrank to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 32% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Caustic Soda Exports

Exports from Hungary

For the fourth year in a row, Hungary recorded growth in overseas shipments of caustic soda, which increased by 0.4% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +10.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +22.5% against 2017 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 80%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, caustic soda exports fell to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 37% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Austria (X tons), Bosnia and Herzegovina (X tons) and Poland (X tons) were the main destinations of caustic soda exports from Hungary, together comprising 55% of total exports. These countries were followed by the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Greece, Serbia and Italy, which together accounted for a further 36%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Romania (with a CAGR of +48.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for caustic soda exported from Hungary were Austria ($X), Bosnia and Herzegovina ($X) and Poland ($X), together comprising 52% of total exports. These countries were followed by Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Romania, Serbia, Greece and Italy, which together accounted for a further 38%.

Romania, with a CAGR of +31.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average caustic soda export price amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -2.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a drastic downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 34%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Slovakia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Greece ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Italy (-1.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Caustic Soda Imports

Imports into Hungary

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was decline in overseas purchases of caustic soda, when their volume decreased by -0.6% to X tons. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 29%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, caustic soda imports reached $X in 2021. Overall, total imports indicated slight growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 53% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Romania (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of caustic soda to Hungary, with a 58% share of total imports. Moreover, caustic soda imports from Romania exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Poland (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Slovakia (X tons), with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Romania stood at +11.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Poland (+28.1% per year) and Slovakia (-11.1% per year).

In value terms, Romania ($X) constituted the largest supplier of caustic soda to Hungary, comprising 51% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Poland ($X), with a 17% share of total imports. It was followed by Slovakia, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Romania totaled +7.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Poland (+19.4% per year) and Slovakia (-11.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average caustic soda import price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 5.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the average import price increased by 36%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Czech Republic ($X per ton), while the price for Austria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+27.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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