Hungary’s trade position deteriorated sharply in August 2026, as the country’s trade balance dropped from a modest surplus to a substantial deficit on a month-over-month basis. According to the latest data updated on 30 September 2026, the trade balance fell from €69.0 million in July 2026 to -€480.9 million in August 2026.
The reversal marks a significant shift after Hungary had managed to stay in positive territory in July. The month‑over‑month comparison underscores how abrupt the change has been: while the previous reading reflected a surplus compared with June, the latest figure shows that imports outpaced exports by nearly half a billion euros in August. Market participants and policymakers will now be watching upcoming releases closely to determine whether this negative turn is temporary or the start of a more persistent deterioration in Hungary’s external balance.