Although both consumers and processors are looking for domestic berries, production has decreased significantly in recent decades. The reason behind this is the high demand for labor due to climate change and manual harvesting. According to statistics, the production area of raspberries, blackberries, blackberries and elderberries has also shrunk, with the exception of currants, where mechanized harvesting is used.
Photo: freepik.com
Partly due to climate change and partly due to the high demand for manual labor, berries are unfortunately being cultivated in smaller and smaller areas in our country. According to the overview of the National Chamber of Agriculture and the Hungarian Fruit and Vegetable Association (FruitVeB), there is an opportunity to develop the sector despite climate change, writes the Agricultural sector.
The cultivation of berries has declined considerably in recent decades. Raspberries are only grown scattered in our country, and there are only a few large contiguous plantations in the country: raspberries are grown on 16 hectares in Nógrád county, 10 hectares in Heves county, and 7-8 hectares in Zala and Vas counties.
The popular berry fruits were relegated to small gardens. In addition to climate change, this is due to the high labor demand due to manual harvesting and high labor costs.
A moderately good vintage of berries is expected this year, due to the early spring the season started earlier. The price of fresh currants on the Budapest wholesale market is around HUF 1,200-1,400/kg, while it is mainly available in frozen form in stores. Currant pálinka, on the other hand, remained popular, a half liter can be bought for over HUF 10,000.
Source: propeller.hu
