Food supply in brief

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The deputy state secretary added that in the new agricultural support cycle, the Ministry of Agriculture offers even more opportunities than before for producer collaborations and the farmers participating in them. In the new agricultural-rural development support cycle launched in 2023, a number of new support goals will appear, which can help farmers bring their products to the market and reach consumers directly.

Dr. Beáta Olga Felkai explained that with the expansion of REL, the environmental burden, energy consumption and much less packaging material are required

Overall, the ecological footprint of the given product is smaller, while consumers have access to fresh, healthy, local products. It also has a beneficial effect on the economic environment, because it develops the local economy and supports local actors. By consuming local products, customers help the livelihood of local farming families. The agrarian sector provides the opportunity for further development to all actors, everyone can be a winner with the current system, he added.

The quality of public catering must be improved

The deputy state secretary also touched on the fact that in order to improve the quality of public catering, according to the decree published in March 2021, at least 60 percent from January 2022 and at least 80 percent from January 1, 2023 must be provided from products purchased in the short supply chain of public catering, or from local food. The new regulation opens up new sales opportunities for local producers and domestic food producers and food processors. The concept of local food products also includes food from small producers.

The goal is to increase the popularity of domestically produced products in retail purchases

Dr. Beáta Olga Felkai emphasized that it is an important goal for us from the point of view of the national economy, and even national security if appropriate, that the population primarily seeks and buys domestically produced products. This is especially the case with food, the production of which not only provides work for those working in the food chain, but also creates security of supply. Products produced in Hungary also mean a higher level of food safety for the population. By purchasing Hungarian products, we can strengthen the Hungarian market even more – he concluded.

AM