Hungarians’ consumption of fish spikes around the winter holidays but is low for the rest of the year in comparison to other European countries, industry data show.

Per capita consumption of processed fish in Hungary is an annual 4.2-4.5kg, well under the 22kg average for the European Union, said Istvan Nemeth, who heads a national fishing industry association. Between 35% and 40% of fish consumed in Hungarian is eaten around the winter holidays, he added.

About three-fourths of the fish Hungarians consume is carp.

Hungary’s fishing industry is worth an annual HUF 13bn-13.5bn, Mr Nemeth said. Between 30% and 35% of fish produced in Hungary is exported, mainly within the EU, he added.