International Trade Magazine

The volume of international road freight fell by around 7 percent and transport performance by nearly 9 percent. At the same time, carriers' costs are rising, and the strengthening forint is putting further pressure on the profitability of international road transport. We looked at what the logistics data actually say, and what they might signal about the coming months of the Hungarian economy.

Botond Barabás

2026. szeptember 10.•12min

In the first six months of 2026, Hungary exported goods worth more than EUR 81 billion. Machinery and transport equipment accounted for around 60 percent of exports. Yet gross export value is only one measure of a country's external economic performance. An equally important question is how much of the value of exported goods is actually created within Hungary. According to the OECD's latest comparable data, there is still considerable room for improvement here.

Elisabeth Mayer

2026. augusztus 26.•9min

In June, the volume of Hungarian merchandise exports grew by 8.7 percent year on year. Behind the impressive figure, however, lie a significant calendar effect and a weak first-half performance. Meanwhile, another, strategically important trend is emerging: while Hungarian exports to the EU declined, exports to markets outside the Union expanded. The question is therefore no longer just when export growth will resume on a lasting basis, but also how far Hungarian companies can reduce their exposure to foreign markets.

Elisabeth Mayer

2026. augusztus 25.•9min

Ecuadorian bananas, cocoa, flowers and processed food can be found in numerous Hungarian shops, yet the direct bilateral trade statistics do not fully reflect this presence. The discrepancy is not a statistical error but a result of how the European trade and logistics system works. The real question is when a direct relationship with Ecuador brings genuine value to Hungarian businesses.

Botond Barabás

2026. augusztus 3.•9min

In 2025, Vietnam attracted USD 38.42 billion in foreign direct investment, while accumulated FDI stock exceeded USD 529 billion. Behind these numbers lies not a single cost advantage, but a deliberately built economic model: export-oriented industry, an extensive free trade network, developed infrastructure and an increasingly selective investment policy.

Botond Barabás

2026. július 28.•8min

For a long time, Vietnam featured on the map of international companies mainly as a cost-efficient manufacturing location. Today, however, it plays a far more complex role. Thanks to its fast-growing domestic market, extensive network of free trade agreements, strong manufacturing sector and deliberate investment-promotion policy, it is increasingly seen as a regional production, export and technology hub.

Botond Barabás

2026. július 8.•8min

While global trade continues to face geopolitical tensions, rising logistics costs and increasing market uncertainty, Ecuador's export sector is undergoing a remarkable structural transformation. According to FEDEXPOR's April 2026 foreign trade report, the country has achieved a historic milestone in its non-oil foreign trade balance.

Botond Barabás

2026. június 30.•7min

Significant changes are coming to the customs handling of low-value consignments arriving from outside the European Union. As part of the EU customs reform, from 1 July 2026 a €3 customs fee per line item will be introduced, while several long-standing simplifications will also be abolished.

Botond Barabás

2026. június 17.•8min

Kazakhstan's wheat production is expected to return to earlier, more average levels, which may also constrain export opportunities. The change is particularly interesting from the perspective of the Italian market, where growing volumes of Kazakh wheat and durum wheat have appeared in recent years.

Botond Barabás

2026. június 17.•6min

In recent years, many companies have begun rethinking their China-dependent procurement strategies. Geopolitical tensions, growing tariff risks, and the vulnerability of global supply chains have prompted many to seek alternative markets. The question today is no longer whether China can be replaced, but what level of risk makes it still worth building on.

Botond Barabás

2026. június 17.•8min

The European Commission is preparing new steel import regulations that could significantly reshape the EU steel market. The proposal would raise the additional duty on imports above the quota to 50%, while requirements for proving origin are also set to tighten.

Botond Barabás

2026. június 16.•9min

CMR insurance, BÁF, cargo insurance, freight forwarder liability insurance – the terms are frequently confused, while they cover entirely different risks and liability situations. It is often only after a loss event that it emerges that the parties had different understandings of what "insurance" meant.

Botond Barabás

2026. május 21.•14min