The Hungarian apricot export season is going well with good volumes being harvested, while prices received from Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland are fairly good. Producers of Balaton-ker-Tész are relieved to be experiencing a good season after struggling with lower volumes due to rain and weather damage over the past two years.
According to Máté Tömösváry, from the co-operative Balaton-ker-Tész who represent about 160 producers across the Transdanubia region in Hungary, they are delighted to have a good season with higher volumes. “During the past two seasons we had frost and weather damage that lowered our volumes. We are happy to have good volumes this year and to receive fairly good prices across our export markets in Europe. We are currently in the middle of our apricot season.”
The Balaton-ker-Tész producers jointly have about 2 200 hectares of apricots, sour and sweet cherry, plums and apples under production in Hungary. “While the prices are more or less at the same level as last year, the demand is strong. We also have between 50-70 hectares of new orchards that came into full production. Hopefully we will reach 3 000 tons to add to this season’s volumes. We started looking at expanding to new markets in Europe, like the Baltic region, but our existing markets are able to absorb the volumes, which is good. Despite this we will continue to look to expand to new markets in the rest of Europe,” says Tömösváry.
“Ten years ago when I started in this industry people told me every year is different. This year certainly proves it, with a really good demand from the markets in the rest of Europe. I hope it continues for every season, but right now I also say every year is different,” says Tömösváry wishfully.
For more information:
Máté Tömösváry
Balaton-ker-Tész Co-operative
Tel: +36204227200
Email: balatonkertesz@gmail.com
www.balatonkertesz-hu