According to first quarter estimates harvests were expected to be higher this year than in 1999 – yet because of the disastrous flood on the Tisza and the similarly critical and lasting surface water situation, crops are now no longer likely to reach last year’s levels. Apart from breeding problems stock farming is also hard hit by marketing difficulties. Agricultural production prices went up 15.2%; within that plant produce by 22.5% while that of livestock and animal produce by 5.9%. Grains were bought for a significantly higher price: wheat was 43%, grist 58% and oat 42% up from last year. Fruit prices grew 12%, vegetables 43% with the average price of potatoes for consumption dropping 32%. The average production price of pigs for slaughter was 16% up, while that of cattle 8.5% down.
At the beginning of the year farm produce sales were down 2.2% from the year before, with crop-raising and horticultural produce falling 37% during the first two months of the year, while that of livestock and animal produce sales going up almost 9%.
As for its trends agricultural production is likely to continue stagnating – although wheat production could actually see some growth. There also seem to be good opportunities for horticultural production and sales. And when it comes to livestock, the breeding of pigs and hogs as well as poultry could go up about 1%. The prospects of agricultural exports to economically-relevant markets are favorable, however the quality of Hungarian produce is still a far cry from what they demand. –
