Hungary in Need of Growing Raspberry Imports

Although domestic raspberries may be less and less available to consumers due to reduced production as a result of climatic conditions, these berries are becoming increasingly popular with Hungarian consumers.

According to data by the Central Statistical Office, only last year, the amount of raspberries coming to the country from abroad increased by more than 30%, Hungarians bought a total of 458 tons from non-Hungarian producers.

The trend continued this year as well, although instead of fresh goods, the fruit typically arrived in the country in frozen form. According to statistics, imports of frozen raspberries rose 86% to 1,410 tons in the first five months. While fresh goods are typically supplied to Spain, frozen goods come to the country mainly from Poland and Serbia.

Hungarian raspberry production lags far behind the leading countries, and farmers are growing it in smaller areas every year. While in the early 2000s, the production area reached 1,500 hectares, today there are now barely 160 hectares in the country.