Chinese walnuts are taking over the Hungarian market

By: STA Date: 2026. 02. 17. 09:30

🎧 Hallgasd a cikket: Nyelv: Sebesség: 1.05×

According to data from the Hungarian Central Statistical Office, the walnut production area in Hungary is 8,050 hectares. The walnut harvest in 2024 was 4,680 tons, 15 percent less than a year earlier. According to experts, fewer walnuts were produced in 2025 than in the previous year due to unfavorable weather (frost, drought).

(Photo: Pixabay)

The volume of Hungary’s walnut kernel imports increased by 31 percent (1,670 tons) and the value by 74 percent (3.57 billion forints) in one year. Walnut kernels came primarily from Ukraine, China and Romania. Hungarian walnut kernel exports decreased by 46 percent (123.8 tons) in volume and 34 percent (367.2 million forints) in value in 2025 compared to the previous year.

According to the Central Statistical Office (KSH), the foreign trade balance of walnuts in shell turned positive in 2025

The volume of imports decreased by 20 percent (167.2 tons) and the value by 28 percent (173.5 million forints) in one year. 43 percent of walnuts in shell came from China and 37 percent from Ukraine. The volume of walnuts in shell increased by 125 percent (191.6 tons) and the value by 100 percent (183.8 million forints) in the same period. At the Budapest Wholesale Market, domestic walnut kernels harvested in 2025 were sold at a 2 percent lower price (3,778 forints/kilogram) between the 40th week of 2025 and the 47th week of 2025 compared to the same period of the previous year. Imported walnut kernels were offered at an average price of 3,836 forints/kilogram (+2 percent) in the same period. In the first 7 weeks of 2026, imported walnut kernels were on offer, at an average price of 4023 HUF/kilogram (+16 percent).

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