With the European apple harvest falling short, Hungary is experiencing a surge in demand for its apples, leading to anticipated price hikes. According to FruitVeB, Hungary's apple yield is projected at 330,000 tons, marking a significant drop from the previous year's 472,000 tons and representing the second-lowest output in the past decade. This decline is attributed to a decrease in both edible and industrial apple production, with expected yields of 90,000-100,000 tons and 230,000-240,000 tons respectively, failing to meet domestic demands.
The scarcity of apples in Europe, coupled with robust demand, is set to drive up prices. Edible apple prices might see a 10-15% increase, while producer prices could surge by 25-35%. Industrial apples are also expected to witness a notable price jump, starting the season at over HUF 80 per kilogram. The Hungarian market could face further pressure from neighbouring countries like Poland, Austria, and the Czech Republic, which traditionally import Hungarian apples. This external demand risks depleting domestic supplies if Hungarian apples are sold abroad at higher prices.
Vegetable production saw efficiency improvements over the past 13 years
On the vegetable production front, Hungary has seen significant efficiency improvements over the past 13 years, as highlighted by Agriculture Minister István Nagy. According to trademagazin.hu, notable gains in yield per hectare for crops such as tomatoes, peppers, carrots, red onions, green peas, and sweet corn have been recorded. These advancements have led to substantial increases in production volumes, exemplified by tomatoes and red onions, which saw yields rise by nearly a third and over 42% respectively.
Source: trademagazin.hu