Choosing a Hungarian product guarantees quality and safety

(Photo: AM/Csaba Pelsőczy)

According to the Minister of Agriculture, Aldi can be proud of the fact that its Hungarian supplier network consists of more than 260 partner companies, which provide about 60 percent of the company’s supply. He also pointed out that the company, which has been present in the country for 15 years, has so far invested around HUF 240 billion and employs more than 6,000 people.

István Nagy emphasized that the government views Hungarian agriculture as a strategic partner

Therefore, in accordance with EU law, it provides national additional funding to the maximum extent of 80 percent in addition to EU development resources. Thanks to this, the Common Agricultural Policy (KAP) launched a large-scale investment program in the transition years (2021 and 2022), in which it announced tenders with a HUF 1,500 billion budget. In the following years, businesses will again receive significant support in the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan – the minister indicated. As an example, he mentioned that almost HUF 1,500 billion is allocated for economic development, from which, among other things, they can support the development of agricultural farms and food processing. István Nagy said that the domestic food industry is the most important and most reliable market for Hungarian farmers. Therefore, an additional HUF 400 billion in support will be available for the development of the food industry in the following years, and the applications are expected to start at the beginning of 2024.

Hungarian agriculture plays a significant role in retail as well

Bernhard Haider, the national managing director of Aldi Magyarország Élélmiszer Bt., announced that they are committed to their voluntary commitment in 2021, so their entire range of fresh meat, 65 basic dairy products and eggs will continue to be sourced exclusively from Hungarian sources. Last year alone, they paid HUF 50 billion more to Hungarian suppliers for their entire range, which is a 40 percent increase on an annual basis, the expert pointed out. Balázs Győrffy, the president of the National Chamber of Agrarian Economy (NAK), said that Aldi’s 2021 commitment and its current reinforcement means a secure market and a predictable future for Hungarian suppliers. He hopes, he said, that other store chains will be willing to take similar steps. Zoltán Harcz, the president of the Tej Product Council, said that they have been working together with Aldi for seven years, and that their cooperation is based on predictability and stability. Tamás Éder, president of the Association of Responsible Food Manufacturers, drew attention to responsible food purchasing. “It is useful for our community and our country if we choose domestic ones,” he said. Aldi Magyarország Élélmiszer Bt. opened the first store of its network in Hungary in 2008, and currently has 168 stores – read the company’s announcement.

MTI