The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) has initiated an accelerated sector investigation into the domestic cooking oil market following evidence that prices in Hungary have decoupled from regional trends. This move comes after a joint analysis with the Hungarian National Bank revealed that the euro-equivalent price of cooking oil in Hungary rose by 15.8% between late 2024 and late 2025. In contrast, neighboring Visegrád countries saw an average increase of only 9.7% during the same period, suggesting that domestic market factors may be driving costs upward at a disproportionate rate.
Statistical data shows a significant disparity between general inflation and food costs. While Hungary’s overall consumer price level remains at 69% of the European Union average, the price for oils and fats has surged to nearly 10% above the EU average and 16% above the regional average. This pricing gap is particularly notable given that domestic producers supply up to 90% of the 100 million liters of sunflower oil consumed annually in Hungary, leaving little macroeconomic justification for such a sharp divergence from European stock exchange rates.
The investigation operates under a fast-track mandate designed to identify and address urgent market distortions. The GVH is utilizing its mandatory data-collection powers and historical information from the national Online Price Monitor to scrutinize the entire value chain, from producers to retailers. A public report is expected within thirty days, though the Authority may extend this timeline if the complexity of the data requires further analysis.
This action marks a new phase of strategic cooperation between the GVH and the central bank aimed at curbing inflation through rigorous competition oversight. By treating the cooking oil sector with the same scrutiny recently applied to the milk and egg markets, regulators intend to ensure that pricing practices remain fair and that consumers are protected from any potential lack of competition in the supply of essential foodstuffs.