Hungary is currently experiencing an uptick in apple prices, attributed to a subpar European harvest and diminished domestic production, as detailed by Világgazdaság. The forecast for Hungary's apple harvest this year is notably lower than previous yields, with projections estimating around 330,000 tons, a decrease from 472,000 tons recorded in 2022. This downturn represents one of the weakest harvests Hungary has seen in the past decade, leading to an expected increase in consumer apple prices by 10-15 percent.
Several factors are contributing to the surge in apple prices, including the aftermath of last year's robust harvest which left apple trees in a stressed state, impacting this year's flowering and yields, especially in orchards that were poorly managed. Adverse weather conditions, including droughts, cold spells, and hailstorms, have compounded the issue, reducing both the quantity and quality of the apple crop. According to FruitVeB, the Hungarian Interprofessional Organization for Fruit and Vegetable, these conditions may result in 10-20 thousand tons of apples being reallocated from the food segment to the industrial segment, significantly affecting the food market.
The situation for apple farming in Hungary poses considerable challenges, with the table apple crop slightly below last year's levels, expected to reach 90-100 thousand tons for the market. The industrial apple crop, however, is anticipated to suffer a more substantial decline, with projections of only 230-240 thousand tons. This figure falls short of Hungary's processing capacity for industrial apples, which stands at approximately 400,000 tons, indicating that only 55-60% of this capacity will be utilized, assuming no exports—a scenario that appears unlikely.
On the international front, Hungarian apples are facing robust demand within the EU, notably from Poland, Austria, and Czechia, where apple shortages are pronounced. The deficits in Austria and Czechia amount to around 200,000 tons, doubling the production of Hungary's table apples. The demand from Poland is even more significant, potentially influencing price increases if Hungarian producers and traders are unable to match foreign offers. Consequently, prices are expected to escalate, with producer prices for table apples predicted to rise by 25-35%, wholesale prices by 15-25%, and consumer prices by 10-15%.
Source: hungarytoday.hu