NAK-FruitVeB: demand for table grapes is growing

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Horticultural crops have a hard time coping with the negative effects of climate change, but there are species that are somewhat more tolerant of weather changes. Table grapes can also be successfully grown in continental climates. Late flowering largely avoids the spring frost period, which meant greater crop security this year compared to other fruits.

According to the overview, farmers in Hungary continue to grow wine grapes in the largest area

However, due to the constantly changing climatic conditions and increasing consumer demands, the cultivation of grapes for table purposes may gain more and more ground in the world. The market share of mainly white, seedless varieties is increasing, to which the producing countries are responding by changing varieties and expanding their areas. According to the overview of NAK and FruitVeB, table grapes are currently grown on approximately 383 hectares in Hungary, the three most significant growing regions being Bács-Kiskun, Heves and Tolna counties. At the same time, a larger amount of dual-use varieties, classified as wine grapes but also usable for fresh consumption, are also used for table purposes. Thus, the area of ​​vineyards for table purposes amounts to approximately 900-1000 hectares per year.

The annual production exceeded 10 thousand tons 10 years ago, but in recent years it has typically been around 4600 tons

Domestic consumption amounts to 20-25 thousand tons and is constantly increasing, so the country needs significant imports, and the import of table grapes amounted to 15 thousand tons in 2024. Currently, there are 43 state-certified table grape varieties and 2 table grape clones in the National Variety Register. Thanks to the different ripening sequences of the varieties, we can consume the fruit from July to October. In Hungary, the popular early-ripening varieties are Csabagyöngye, Szőlőskertek kiralnője muscovite, and Saszlák (chasselas); the mid-ripening varieties are Pölöskei muscovite, Attila, and Pannónia kincse; and the late-ripening varieties are Hamburgi muscovite, Afuz Ali, and Moldova – the overview listed.

Hungarian table grapes are currently only present on the domestic market as a range expander

We can only compete with table grape producing countries that dictate market prices and force great price competition, and are much larger than ours, from which most of the imports come – Italy, Spain, Greece, Egypt, India – if our cultivated area increases significantly, and our efficiency (specific yields) and varietal structure improve significantly. The lack of labor also poses a serious problem for the sector, which is an indispensable resource in a culture that is difficult to mechanize – the analysis concluded. In addition, the golden yellowness of the grapes also poses challenges to producers, the disease is already present in 13 counties. Curbing the spread of the pathogen could mean the future of domestic viticulture. The basis of protection against the phytoplasma that causes the disease is prevention, in which, in addition to the use of healthy propagation material, regular and targeted protection against vectors also plays a significant role – experts warn.

MTI