In Hungary, the apricot harvest has recorded significant oscillations over the past five years, ranging between 10 and 27 thousand tonnes. While in 2015 the frost, rain and hail caused great losses, this year the late spring frost did not damage the plantations, so both the quantity and quality is good.
According to experts, the long-term strategy that would be needed in order to increase the production should start by stopping the destruction of trees, so in the short term the production could grow by up to 50-70 percent. If that was achieved, the crop would be in a more competitive position and become sustainable in the long term.
Hungary is a net exporter of fresh apricots, with Austria and Germany as its main destinations. In this year's first four months of shipments, apricot volumes have jumped from last year's 8.6 tonnes to 88.7 tonnes.
Domestic apricots hit the Hungarian market on week 23, with producer prices standing at 700 HUF/kilo (2.25 Euro). On average, prices at origin between weeks 24 and 29 have been 11 percent lower (HUF 464/kg-1.49 Euro/kg) compared to last season.
