Let the paprika producers take their own destiny into their own hands

(Photo: AM/Csaba Pelsőczy)

The Secretary of State for Agriculture and Rural Development of the Ministry of Agriculture encouraged the present producers to update the product descriptions, which have not changed for at least a decade and a half, and to modify the production rules for the sake of quality production. According to his opinion, the strengthening of the market positions of the Szeged and Kalocsa ground paprika can be built on the protection of origin categories. Zsolt Feldman emphasized: the European market has now been flooded by cheap Chinese ground, Hungarian paprika must distinguish itself from mass goods with its quality and existing protected names. The conditions of 20 years ago should not be lamented, as the market has changed, the age of mass production has ended, and consumer habits have changed. Compliance with market needs can be helped by the new protection of origin regulation, strengthening own product processing and post-harvest investments, supporting developments that reduce production risks, strengthening the possibilities of direct sales and sales to small producers – the state secretary gave possible solutions.

Zsolt Feldman reminded: the new protection of origin regulation also gives the profession the opportunity to create an organization that manages the product description containing the production rules

This requires cooperation, for which the state secretary promised support. Such a producer cooperation, which takes over the rules for the production of ground paprika, can guarantee even better quality products and at the same time gives an opportunity to take action against those who abuse the name of Kalocsa or Szeged.

In the last 10-20 years, the European and Hungarian ground paprika market has changed due to imports from outside the EU

Thus, it is very difficult for anyone who is not able to produce and sell in an organized manner and to strengthen their production efficiency, to stay afloat – said Zsolt Feldman. One of the means of distinguishing it from mass goods can be the application of the protection of origin rules based on successful European examples. The Ministry of Agriculture is interested in ensuring that those producers who produce efficiently, professionally and in an organized manner receive all the help they can in the next period as well.

The Ministry of Agriculture will publish its application schedule for the next year and a half in the autumn of this year

It is good news for the horticultural industry that we can help with the necessary investments, from raw material production to processing – to the technological background of grinding and drying, to the renewal of packaging technology – highlighted Zsolt Feldman.

AM