Hungary’s fruit and vegetable industry is facing severe damage this year, with estimated weather‑related losses reaching HUF 100–150 billion. Spring frosts alone cut expected fruit yields by 50%, and combined with summer drought, UV radiation and heat stress, total fruit‑sector losses are now 60–70%.
In open‑field vegetable production, 90% of crops are irrigated, yet even these suffered 10–25% yield losses, while non‑irrigated fields saw drops of 50% or more. Sensitive crops such as sweet corn and green peas were hit hardest, and protected cultivation still recorded 5–15% declines due to heat stress.
Processing volumes also fell sharply. Hungary produced only 40,000 tonnes of sour cherries instead of the usual 55,000–65,000 tonnes, leaving processors with just 50% of needed supply, while apple volumes may reach only 25% of requirements. Experts warn that climate extremes, now recurring annually, are pushing many crops toward unviability without costly irrigation, frost protection and shading systems.
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