Dairy products are becoming more expensive in Hungary: what is behind this?

The Hungarian dairy sector has faced many challenges in recent years, drifting from crisis to crisis. Costs doubled in one year, resulting in a dramatic drop in consumption. According to Attila Koller, co-chairman of the Tej Product Council, current prices are still higher than before the coronavirus epidemic.

Domestic sales of dairy products show a mixed picture. According to AKI statistics, in 2023 only the sales of 2.8% UHT milk and natural yogurt affected by the official price increased. On the other hand, the sales of many dairy products, such as butter, butter cream, cow’s cottage cheese, processed cheese, and sour cream, decreased significantly.

Imports of cheese and milk increased dramatically, especially from Germany and Poland. Imported milk, mainly from the Czech Republic and Slovakia, showed a 45% increase compared to the previous year. In the first two months of the year, the import trend continued, cheese imports increased by 18%, while milk imports increased by 32%.

Based on the prices of July 22, Trappist cheese (produced in Hungary) is available at the following prices:

Auchan: HUF 1990-2100/kg
Tesco: HUF 2390-2850/kg
Spar: Similar prices to Tesco

The price of artisanal cheeses is much higher, for example on Kifli.hu a 200-gram package costs HUF 1,685, which means more than HUF 8,000 per kilo.