Hungarian seed production is one of the most competitive sectors of agriculture

By: STA Date: 2023. 11. 24. 09:30

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The long-term sustainability of domestic agricultural production is ensured by high-quality domestic seeds and propagating materials – Minister of Agriculture István Nagy declared at the 30th anniversary event of the founding of the Seed Association Trade Union and Product Council on Thursday in Siófok.

(Photo: AM/István Fekete)

In his speech, the minister drew attention to the fact that the objectives of the Seed Association and Product Council have not changed in the past three decades: they have always worked to maintain Hungarian seed production. They have always provided products that satisfy the needs of domestic farmers and follow the changing economic and, last but not least, environmental and climatic conditions. He emphasized that the professional foundations and our daily bread cannot be endangered by fashionable ideologies. Our common task is to find appropriate answers to social needs and challenges, he added. The minister also touched on the fact that the seed sector is also a matter of national strategy and national security, and the advocacy organization is a strategic partner of the Hungarian government, so we must work together to continue to provide high-quality raw materials for the harvest – explained István Nagy.

The minister said that Hungary has become a center for seed production and trade in the region

In fact, our country is at the forefront of the world and is in the top ten ranking of the largest seed-producing countries. In recent years, seeds were grown on 3-4 percent of the domestic arable land, the seeds of more than 1,600 varieties of about 100 plant species. Seed production takes place on 100-120 thousand hectares, depending on the year, added István Nagy.

The head of the department emphasized that the work of the professional association contributed greatly to seed exports being on a stable footing

Our country successfully exports wheat seed to Italy, Austria, Romania, Poland and Slovenia. Sunflower seeds are mainly in demand in the European Union, but also in countries outside the EU. So far, the largest amount of corn seed has been found in Russia, Romania, Ukraine, Poland and France. At the same time, István Nagy emphasized that the Russian-Ukrainian war conflict also had a significant impact on our seed export, so it is necessary to further strengthen exports and increase competitiveness, in which we count on the dedicated work of the association and its international network.