The quality and technological background of the Hungarian wine industry has also strengthened

(Photo: AM/István Fekete)

Zsolt Feldman explained at the vintner-winemaker forum held at the local town hall: according to the data of July 31, 2024, there are 58,249 hectares of vineyard in the country. This year, according to estimates, there will be approximately 2.9-3 million hectoliters of new wine and must. The national average yield estimate is 83 grapes per hectare, which corresponds to the average for many years.

According to last year’s data, wine consumption was 18.7 liters per person per year

Speaking about the subsidies for the grape and wine sector, he said that the restructuring subsidy for grapes essentially financed ninety to ninety-five percent of the renovation of domestic vineyards in recent years. He added that the subsidy amounts were increased in this area, so they were able to include the loss of income that results from the non-productive nature of a renewable vineyard. The grape grower who makes his own wine was also highlighted to some extent in this construction. It will be possible to submit a grant application for restructuring the vineyard from November 2 to 30 this year. The budget for the period from 2024 to 2027 is 71 million euros, he informed. In the case of winemaking investments, the framework amount is 21 million euros in the period until 2027. It will be possible to submit grant applications from March 1 to 20, 2025. In addition to winemaking machines and technological equipment, it will be possible to apply for support for solar systems and company software, not independently, he said. He noted: the call for tenders for investment grants of up to HUF two hundred million was opened in August and was open until September, which was accompanied by intense interest. He mentioned that the national call for complex food industry processing is currently open, during which wineries can request support for their projects worth over HUF two hundred million.

Zsolt Feldman also reported that there will be a new support scheme called wine innovation

This aims to support the introduction of technologies and procedures that have not yet been used in this country, through which the actors of the sector reach new markets and consumers. He mentioned the production of alcohol-reduced and de-alcoholized wine products as an example. According to the plans, grant applications can be submitted in the first quarter of 2025. The budget for the current support period is 1.5 million euros. The budget for promotional grants is 6 million euros, and according to the plans, grant applications can be submitted in December 2024. He said the application period for new planting permits will reopen in October. In connection with this, in November of this year, the legal title of the support for the planting of new plantations (EMVA, rural development) will also be opened according to the plans. In addition to planting new plantations, the support also provides the opportunity to purchase viticultural machinery and equipment. You can find detailed information about the calls for tenders on the kap.gov.hu ​​page – added Zsolt Feldman.

MTI