Delayed effect

The accession of the two new EU member countries will probably have an effect on the retail trade of food in Hungary, but this effect is likely to be a delayed one. Romania is unable to export meat to the EU at the moment, though prices are low. Large quantities of Romanian food will only appear in the Hungarian market after a number of conditions regarding food hygiene are met. Bulgaria is in a similar situation, but its traditionally good quality fruit and vegetable products have to be transported a much longer distance.