Domestic vegetable production in Hungary has witnessed efficiency gains in the past decade, with notable increases in yields per hectare, according to Agriculture Minister István Nagy. From 2010 to 2023, tomato yields more than doubled, while pepper yields saw an eighty percent increase. The production of carrots, tomatoes, onions, green peas, and sweet corn also experienced growth, as detailed in a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture.
Nagy highlighted the impact of weather, market conditions, and consumer demand volatility on horticulture, but noted that government support for production security and liquidity has fostered improvements in quality and quantity of vegetable production. Despite a reduction in the area under some crops, intensified production and professionalization have led to higher yields. Tomato production, for example, increased by nearly a third to over 177,000 tons, with onion production up by 42.4 percent to more than 58,000 tons. Carrot, green pea, and sweet corn yields also saw significant rises.
The minister also pointed to the allocation of substantial resources to the horticulture sector through the Rural Development Program, supporting nearly seven thousand investments in technological advancements, machinery purchases, modernization efforts, and the establishment of various types of greenhouses and storage facilities. These investments extend to the development of processing facilities, enhancing the vegetable processing sector's capabilities. The Ministry of Agriculture has initiated the 2024 calls for proposals aimed at boosting the agricultural product processing industry's value.
Source: hungarytoday.hu