Are there really many chemicals in Hungarian food?

By: Trademagazin Date: 2024. 03. 14. 09:20

Consumers have always demanded cheap, high-quality and preferably chemical-free vegetables and fruits. However, this is often a challenge for agribusiness actors: creating a balance between increasing production efficiency, keeping prices low and maintaining quality is not always easy.

According to the Agricultural Sector, it has already been said at many horticultural events that a change of attitude should be achieved among consumers, and the idea that horticulture plants are “processed with chemicals” should be removed from the public’s mind. As one expert said: “Don’t call these chemicals, they are pesticides, the medicines of plants, just like when a person gets sick and takes the medicine he needs to get better, and he doesn’t even say that he is treating himself with chemicals.”

Due to consumer expectations and market competition, producers try to produce as efficiently as possible, which often makes plant protection products indispensable. Organic products are more expensive, as they have a lower average yield, since a significant part of pathogens and pests are not removed. Therefore, prices should be positioned higher. However, there are also cases when a product treated with pesticides can be healthier than organic.