The “What a pig we have!” pork promotion campaign is launched

Imre Hubai emphasized that livestock farmers will always have a decisive role in Hungarian agriculture, so they can count on government support even in the most difficult times.

Thanks to the budget supplement associated with rural development funds, Hungarian livestock farmers can apply for most of the legal titles within the EU, which they need, since they can only remain marketable in the strong international competition if they continuously modernize.

At the end of last year, Hungarian farmers kept 2.8 million pigs, which was 7.5 percent more than a year earlier, and last year’s pork production of 593 thousand tons exceeded 2023 by 8 percent, and the efficiency of production has also improved, he added.

According to the State Secretary’s promise, the Ministry of Agriculture will maintain the priority support for livestock farming, as the tenders targeting them are popular, and additional budget amounts may also need to be allocated due to oversubscription.

Gene conservation subsidies may continue, among other things, so that native, endangered and breed-reconstructed agricultural species, including traditional Hungarian pigs, can survive, while other tenders will offset losses due to changes in weather and market conditions, as well as diseases, or support animal welfare investments.

Hubai Imre emphasized that the Hungarian pig population is free of pathogens, which is also guaranteed by intensive official inspections.

Gergely Giczi, deputy managing director of the Agricultural Marketing Center (AMC), announced that the campaign, timed to coincide with the start of the barbecue season, will last until May 25. Its advertisements will be broadcast on national radio programs, in the printed press and on social online platforms, and those interested can also participate in tastings and prize draws, he said.

The Hungarian pig sector is strong and capable of development, ready to increase exports, but its most reliable consumers will always be domestic buyers. Although meat consumption is under attack, dietitians recommend eating pork or other red meat on a weekly basis, as this is also part of a healthy, balanced diet, he stated.

According to Tamás Éder, president of the Hungarian Meat Industry Association, the situation in the pig sector is colored by the fact that only livestock farmers have achieved good results in recent years, because purchase prices have always ensured a greater or lesser profit.