New subsidies help the dynamically developing Hungarian beef cattle sector

By: STA Date: 2025. 03. 06. 10:30

Of all the livestock sectors, the beef cattle sector has produced the largest expansion in the past 25 years. In recent years, the demand for breeding animals has also been outstanding, said Deputy Minister Sándor Farkas, at the professional event entitled “Beef Cattle Breeding Conference” of the member associations of the Hungarian Cattle Breeders’ Association and the MATE Institute of Animal Sciences.

(Photo: AM/Csaba Pelsőczy)

In his presentation, he explained that there are numerous direct and national budget-financed subsidies available for the sector. The so-called breeding bull selection is a non-refundable, so-called “de minimis” subsidy aimed at improving the quality and production indicators of the Hungarian beef cattle stock. Livestock farmers can also apply for this title in 2025, and the budget allocated for this is HUF 700 million. Another new support title is the beef cattle animal welfare support – emphasized Deputy Minister Sándor Farkas. The 5-year budget of the title is 10 billion forints. The processing and evaluation of applications submitted in the summer of 2024 is in progress.

Thanks to the expertise of breeding organizations and the high-level work of farmers, the sector is producing increasingly better quality

In 2025, 1.8 billion forints are available in the form of national support to support breeding organization tasks that improve the competitiveness and chances of domestic breeding organizations and Hungarian livestock farmers. The government considers improving the competitiveness of livestock farms to be a strategic issue. In 2024, two new calls for proposals were published with a total budget of 200 billion forints to support the site developments of livestock farms – including cattle farms – within the framework of the CAP Strategic Plan until 2027. A total of 1,857 applications for support were received for the two calls, requesting 860 billion forints of support, of which 1,070 applications concerned cattle farming, totaling 356 billion forints. The processing of the applications for support is in progress, Deputy Minister Sándor Farkas added.

In recent years, more than 1,500 cattle farming enterprises have been able to develop their farms with almost 165 billion forints in the Rural Development Program

Presenting data on the sector, Deputy Minister Sándor Farkas said that the growth of the cow population between 2010 and 2020 was outstanding. The sector received further impetus in 2024, with purchase prices increasing by 15-20 percent in all sales categories. The beef cattle sector produces a significant commodity base and also contributes to Hungarian agricultural exports. There is significant potential in domestic grasslands, which must be preserved and exploited. This requires professional grassland management and regulations based on the results of grassland surveys. Supporting grazing with native livestock will play a key role in the beef cattle sector