FruitVeB urges termination of Hungarian price freeze system

The FruitVeB Hungarian Fruit and Vegetable Professional Organization is calling for the immediate termination of the price freeze system. The organization argues that the measure has failed to reduce inflation and is instead causing significant harm to the agricultural sector by creating a competitive disadvantage for domestic farmers and accelerating the dominance of imported goods.

FruitVeB warns that the policy could lead to the disappearance of domestically grown produce from retail markets within a few years. They claim that retail chains, lacking sufficient profit margins due to the freeze, are increasingly stocking cheaper, lower-quality imports. While the previous government introduced the measure in March 2025 to protect families, the organization notes that current economic conditions and declining inflation no longer justify its continuation.

Parallel reports indicate that the government conducted a detailed impact assessment prior to implementing the freeze. This assessment utilized confidential market data, including procurement and transfer prices provided voluntarily by retailers. While the Ministry of Economy and Energy confirmed the existence of this assessment, the specific methodology and results remain undisclosed to the public.