Let’s also choose domestic ones from cabbages!

(Photo: NAK)

There is a real vitamin bomb lurking in the pantries, cabbages have many beneficial effects and are considered an important food in the European diet. They contain large amounts of vitamin C, folic acid, potassium, selenium, and fiber. In addition to their high iron and calcium content, they also contain vitamins A, B6, B12, D, E and K. They thereby contribute to the optimal functioning of the immune system, their role is essential in blood formation, they support the health of the eyes, and they play a part in the protection of the skin, bones and teeth.

The range of cabbages is very rich: in addition to cabbage, this includes kale, kohlrabi, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, leafy or Chinese cabbage

One of the most well-known is cabbage and red cabbage, which can be used in many ways, have a high vitamin, mineral salt and fiber content, and can be eaten raw in any month of the year. The autumn and winter period is the real season for cabbages, the period of traditional cabbage dishes begins in November, when, in addition to the usual cabbage dishes, slightly heavier dishes also appear on the family table. Martin’s Day goose is unimaginable without different cabbage side dishes: steamed cabbage, sauerkraut, cabbage and potatoes. Stuffed cabbage comes at Christmas, korhely soup at New Year’s Eve, and pork belly cabbage is available throughout the season. According to the overview of the National Chamber of Agriculture and the Hungarian Fruit and Vegetable Association, FruitVeB, the growing area of kale has been between 1,600 and 1,700 hectares in the last 4-5 years The most significant cabbage growing areas are located in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg, Pest, Csongrád-Csanád and Bács-Kiskun counties. Last year, 39.8 thousand tons of head cabbage were produced in Hungary, 7 percent more than the year before. Despite the larger harvest, however, the volume of imports continued to increase. According to statistical data, in the first half of this year, imports increased by 5 percent to 3.07 thousand tons compared to the same period last year. The increase was primarily caused by the sharp increase in Polish cabbage imports, imports from Poland increased by 92 percent to 674.9 tons.

Unfortunately, the import pressure did not decrease in the second half of the year either, which significantly reduced the purchase prices

Supermarket chains and picklers also prefer the cheaper Polish cabbage. All of this points to the lack of market organization, because domestic producers cannot enforce their interests against supermarket chains and processors without cooperation. In addition, the smaller producers often push down the prices, as they would get rid of the product at a lower price due to the decreasing demand due to the import pressure. According to NAK and FruitVeB, market organization measures should be taken in the cabbage sector in order to ensure that the domestically produced, high-quality goods can reach consumers, and that producers can make a living from their activities. In addition, it is also necessary to strengthen customer awareness, since when consumers are looking for Hungarian cabbage in stores, the supermarket chains must also respond.

NAK/FruitWeb