Hungarian agriculture in the grip of extremes: damage already exceeds 100 billion forints

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Hungarian farmers are facing a double natural disaster in 2025: in the spring, the April frosts hit agriculture, and in the summer, heat and drought hit. Fruit growers and arable farmers are struggling with crop losses and market uncertainty at the same time. According to experts, extreme weather will not be extraordinary in the future, but will become commonplace, and this requires more conscious preparation from all farmers. “This year, producers were hit from two sides: the spring frost almost wiped out fruit production in several regions, and the summer heat caused significant losses in root crops. This clearly shows that in agriculture today, improvisation is no longer possible: expertise, foresight and conscious plant protection are needed,” emphasized Dr. Gerda Anikó, a plant specialist and consultant at Vitafer Hungária Kft.

Spring frost damage: dramatic losses in orchards

The frosts at the beginning of April this year proved to be particularly cruel: in several places -6 and -8 degrees Celsius were measured, when the fruit trees were already in full bloom. The biggest loss was for apricots, where instead of the usual 20-30 thousand tons of yield, only 2-4 thousand tons of yield were expected. This is only 10-20 percent of the average quantity, and this was also reflected in this year’s prices. Frost damage caused losses of tens of billions of forints in the entire fruit sector, affecting apples, especially early varieties, as well as peaches, sour cherries, cherries and grapes. “As a result of climate change, buds and flowers are developing earlier and earlier, making them much more vulnerable to late frosts. Therefore, preparing against frost is no longer an extra measure, but should be an integral part of production,” added Dr. Gerda Anikó.

Summer heat waves: another blow to root crops

Producers faced another challenge in the summer months: persistent heat and drought caused serious losses in arable crops. Between July 1 and August 16, 2025, satellite images also confirmed that Hungary was among the countries most affected in the decline in the yield of root crops (corn, sunflower, soybean). “The yield reduction for these plants could reach up to 30-40 percent. Moreover, extreme temperatures affect not only quantity but also quality, as the scorching sun and lack of water impair the metabolism of plants and promote the reproduction of pests and pathogens,” emphasized the expert advisor of Vitafer Hungária Kft.

Against extremes with conscious plant protection

The double challenge – frost and heat – clearly shows that producers need innovative strategies. In addition to traditional methods, conscious planning of plant protection, the introduction of treatments aimed at increasing conditioning and stress tolerance, as well as timely stock surveys and pest monitoring are essential. This can be particularly important in the event of a lack of irrigation during a drought period. Integrated pest management and fast-acting expert advice can help farmers minimize losses while preserving crop quality. “Expertise is often the key to managing extremes. You cannot rely on a single technology or product. Success is a combination of well-timed interventions, experience and sound decisions. Those who are consistent in this can adapt even in difficult years,” emphasized Dr. Gerda Anikó. The year 2025 gave a clear signal: extreme weather events are no longer new phenomena, but are an everyday part of farming. The key to adaptation is conscious planning, the application of modern pest management practices and the use of an appropriate network of expert advisors. According to the expert advisor of Vitafer Hungária Kft., professional stand conditioning treatments, foliar fertilization and forecast-based control strategies may receive further emphasis in the future.