The poultry sector is one of the most competitive livestock sectors

(Photo: AM/Csaba Pelsőczy)

István Nagy emphasized at the handover of the Doór-Baromfi Kft. poultry farm, built at a cost of 2 billion forints: the return on investment in this sector is outstanding, which sector players can count on in the long term, because poultry meat is one of the most popular protein sources in the world, and its demand is constantly growing. Hungarian consumption has exceeded 30 kilograms per person per year for years – he added. The poultry sector also contributes to improving the foreign trade balance, as in addition to supplying the domestic market, it produces a significant export base, with poultry meat accounting for more than half of the export revenue from meat products – he indicated.

Since the sector is export-oriented, it must be developed even if it is already competitive in order to stand out on the world market

The minister indicated that the government pays special attention and supports livestock farmers, including poultry farmers, who fundamentally contribute to the country’s food security. Since modern, high-tech livestock farms that comply with European Union regulations in all respects are necessary to maintain competitiveness, since 2015, numerous calls for proposals aimed at site development have offered support opportunities in the Rural Development Program, and within the framework of 9 such calls, 382 billion forints of support were paid for more than 3,300 investments by the end of August – he noted. István Nagy reminded that the 2020 call for proposals entitled Support for the Development of Livestock Farms provided opportunities for the purchase of machinery, energy modernization, and even the complex construction of new livestock farms. 1352 applications were submitted to the call – taking into account all animal species – of which 627 received 352 billion forints of support. Of the winning applications, 145 were aimed at the development of poultry farms, and 138 billion forints were awarded to them. The farm modernizations included the purchase of technologies related to animal health or feeding, the construction and expansion of farm facilities, and also provided opportunities to reduce energy consumption and use renewable energy. István Nagy pointed out that, thanks to the support of the Rural Development Program, the performance of Hungarian livestock farming has expanded dynamically even in European comparison. According to the latest EU data, Hungary produced the fifth highest growth among the member states in terms of pig and poultry slaughtering, and the second highest in terms of milk purchase, and achieved a 6.1 percent increase in live weight slaughterings in the case of poultry, he said.

The CAP Strategic Plan replacing the Rural Development Programme also maintains the priority support for livestock farming, including the poultry sector

“Farmers feel this and apply, as do smaller producers, since we have announced their development with a ceiling of 200 million for them, just as the opportunity is open to larger farms with a higher ceiling” – he added. István Nagy, speaking about the new premises of Doór-Baromfi Kft., reported that the investment, which received a 1 billion forint grant, included the construction of 4 fully automated barns, the energy needs of which are provided by a solar panel system. Thanks to modern technology, the chicks are healthier and the production indicators can be more favorable – he said. Károly Vranovics, Director of the Agricultural and Biotechnology Division of the general contractor AlphaVet Zrt., said that the Somberek site was built in just 7 months, and thanks to the highest level of architectural and technological solutions, 50 percent savings can be achieved in operation compared to older sites. Tamás Csoboth, Mayor of Somberek, said that Somberek is an agricultural settlement, where large-scale factories and dozens of family businesses can coexist well. “They all believe in the future of rural life, and they prove every day that living and farming in the countryside is not only possible, but also worthwhile,” he added. He noted that the investment by Doór-Baromfi Kft. contributes to the strengthening of the settlement’s economy, the increase in tax revenues, the creation of jobs, and to providing prospects for local youth. János Doór, the owner of Doór-Baromfi Kft., told MTI that the family business, founded in 2013, covered the construction costs from 200 million forints of its own funds, as well as from a bank loan of 800 million forints, in addition to the tender support, and expects a payback of 6-7 years. According to him, the 4 barns, each with a floor area of ​​2,200 square meters, can simultaneously raise 160 thousand broiler chickens, or 1 million broiler chickens in a year, and the first chicks will arrive at the new site in 3 weeks. He reported that the company has its own premises in Palotabozsok and a rented one near Pécs, where they raise half a million chickens a year. In addition to the family members, they have 4 employees, who are hiring four more for the Somberek site. János Doór said that the company achieved net sales of about 560 million forints in 2023 and 550 million forints in 2024, and the after-tax profit was 30.4 million forints in 2023 and 21.5 million forints in 2024. This year, they hope for sales of 1 billion forints and a profit of 60 million forints, and in 2026, sales of 2 billion forints and a profit of 100-150 million forints.

AM/MTI