Hungarian agriculture faces yield declines due to drought

Extreme weather conditions and prolonged drought in Hungary are significantly impacting agricultural production. The Délalföldi Kertészek Szövetkezete (DélKerTÉSZ), which primarily produces peppers and tomatoes, reported that while the first half of the year saw high-quality yields, recent heatwaves have increased the proportion of low-quality vegetables and may reduce overall production volumes.

Data from the Ministry of Agriculture indicates that summer harvests for arable crops are seeing yields 10–20 percent below the five-year average. Most affected are corn and rapeseed, though sunflower and cereal crops are also showing damage. Farmers face economic uncertainty, with some considering abandoning farming due to the recurring risk of severe drought similar to 2022.

To mitigate these effects, experts suggest a shift toward drought-resistant crops, such as sorghum, and investments in water-retention technologies. Producers are increasingly relying on advanced irrigation, shading, and cooling systems to protect crops from extreme heat.