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Harvest in Hungary's apple orchards commences earlier

The commencement of the harvest in Hungary's apple orchards has been reported earlier than usual this year, particularly in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county, Hungary's preeminent apple production region. Some processing facilities have initiated the acquisition of apple juice, as disclosed by the National Chamber of Agriculture and the Hungarian Vegetable and Fruit Association (FruitVeB).

Professional associations have projected a below-average harvest for the current year, with the yield not meeting the demands of the domestic food and processing industry. It is anticipated that the harvest will be approximately 150,000 tons less than the previous year. The expected yield for food-grade apples is estimated at 90,000-100,000 tons, whereas industrial apples are projected at 220,000-240,000 tons. The drought and heat have led to a reduction in fruit size, which will likely affect the table apple market. The final harvest volume could vary significantly depending on the weather conditions during the harvesting period, with an optimistic yield possibly exceeding 350,000 tons, and a pessimistic scenario not reaching 300,000 tons.

The year has been challenging for farmers, who have encountered nearly all forms of weather-related damages, leading to considerable crop losses. The erratic weather patterns, including extreme rainfall distribution, an early spring, followed by a prolonged summer heatwave after a sudden cooling period, have posed significant challenges. Hungary's apple production spans 20,564 hectares, with Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county being the most crucial area, housing 15,136 hectares of apple orchards.

There is an expectation of a more favorable apple juice price, with the current net purchase price being almost double that of last year's. The producer price for edible apples is also anticipated to rise by 25-35 percent. Additionally, the harvest across the EU is expected to be weaker than average, with a projection of 10.2 million tons compared to the usual 11.5 million tons. This shortfall, especially in Polish apple production, is expected to influence purchase prices.

Idared remains the predominant variety in Hungary, with a broad selection of popular varieties including Jonagold, Gala, Golden Delicious, and Red Delicious. The adoption of new varieties necessitates technological advancements and new planting areas, with many older plantations requiring updates. The analysis also highlights that new EU tenders could stimulate investment in the sector. The KAP Strategic Plan tender aims to support the horticultural sector with over HUF 25 billion, with an additional HUF 50 billion allocated for infrastructure developments.

Source: TradeMagazin

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