The government strengthens the competitiveness of the sheep and lamb sector with subsidies

By: Trademagazin Date: 2026. 03. 26. 11:30

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Sheep and lamb are not only a healthy choice, but also an environmentally friendly one. The government supports the development and competitiveness of the small ruminant sector with significant domestic and EU funds – emphasized Tamás Tarpataki, Deputy State Secretary responsible for the agricultural market at the Ministry of Agriculture, at the press event in Budapest of the Spanish-Hungarian multiprogram promoting the consumption of sheep and lamb meat.

The Deputy State Secretary explained that the resources of the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan and domestic subsidies together ensure the stable operation of the sector, encourage the expansion of production, and strengthen the domestic and international market position of lamb meat.

The subsidies support development along the entire value chain, from production to processing: significant resources are available for the modernization of livestock farms, food industry investments, breeding programs, animal welfare measures and gene conservation, while national subsidies also support the work of breeders and breeding organizations. Thanks to the developments of recent years, domestic small ruminant breeding has strengthened.

Tamás Tarpataki said that the current event is also part of the Celebrate-EULAMB program, implemented in Spanish-Hungarian cooperation and lasting until 2027, which aims to increase the consumption of sheep and lamb meat. The European Union’s promotional application system particularly supports campaigns implemented in cooperation with several member states. Such programs contribute to the stronger presence of quality European sheep and lamb meat on the market and to increasing demand both abroad and in Hungary.

The Deputy Secretary of State pointed out that the annual per capita consumption of lamb is currently only about 0.2 kilograms, while the product has excellent nutritional value, is easy to digest, and fits well into a health-conscious diet. Pasture-based sheep farming not only has a lower environmental impact compared to other livestock farming sectors, therefore consuming lamb also means supporting sustainable farming.

The Hungarian sheep sector has significant export potential, but the goal is to increase domestic consumption and ensure the long-term profitability of producers. The Ministry of Agriculture is supporting with all available means that sheep and lamb meat will regain its rightful place in Hungarian gastronomy, and that the sector will further strengthen its role in sustainable and competitive agriculture, he added.