Climate change is not sparing grapes either, but its effects can be mitigated, according to Syngenta

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 06. 30. 11:53

Despite the decrease in the area under cultivation, grape growing on approximately 58 thousand hectares continues to play a decisive role in Hungarian agriculture. According to Syngenta, the weather this season also poses a serious challenge to producers. According to the company, plant protection will also play a prominent role in production technology in 2025, as high-quality, healthy grapes will be the raw material for excellent Hungarian wines.

Optimistic expectations despite the decreasing area under cultivation

The shrinkage of grape growing areas in Hungary has continued in recent years: the total area of plantations has decreased by nearly 5 thousand hectares over the past five years. Currently, according to the National Council of Mountain Villages, grapes are officially grown on approximately 58 thousand hectares in Hungary. At the same time, the industry is confident that the unfavorable trend will reverse and that in the future the ratio of plantings will again exceed that of fellings, emphasized Dr. Zoltán Varga, product manager at Syngenta.

2025 so far a year of extreme weather and slower development

This year’s extreme weather is also having an impact on the grapevine: grape development was sluggish during the spring. Fertilization problems occurred mainly with early varieties. In 2024, 3.73 million tons of grapes were harvested nationwide, which is about 11% below the average of the past ten years, according to official results. This year’s prospects are greatly influenced by weather extremes, especially drought periods, so we cannot expect a record harvest this year either. – explained Dr. Zoltán Varga.

According to the expert, however, the season is not over yet, and the weather may also have a say in the plant protection strategy in the future. If the persistent drought continues, then there will be little need for further protection, especially in areas where intensive protection was applied in the plantations in the early period. Where the stocks are symptom-free, farmers can be much calmer.

Market situation and sales opportunities

Domestic grapes compete with foreign varieties in terms of quality. In domestic sales, it would be very important to increase the price level in order to make the sector sustainable and economically profitable in the long term. The increase in purchase prices could have a positive effect on the start of economic processes that would stop the decline in the production area.