The cherry harvest in Hungary is expected to be better than last year's, as reported by Ledó Ferenc, Chairman of the Hungarian Fruit and Vegetable Interprofessional Organisation (FruitVeB).
Mr Ferenc stated that, according to initial estimates, the sour cherry harvest may reach between 65 and 70 thousand tonnes, compared to 63-65 thousand tonnes a year earlier, while the sweet cherry harvest will reach 17-18 thousand tonnes, compared to 13-14 thousand tonnes last year. The weather conditions have been ideal, with no frosts or rain during the blooming period.
The country exports seventy percent of its cherry compotes, eighty percent of which is shipped to Germany. Before the embargo, between 10 and 15 thousand tonnes of edible cherries were exported to Russia. Besides Germany, significant volumes are also exported to Austria.
As for prices, the president of FruitVeB estimated the gross cost at origin of sour cherries at somewhere between 250 and 350 HUF* per kilo, with customers paying between 450 and 550 HUF in June, while those of sweet cherries should range between 350 and 500 HUF per kilo, with customers paying between 600 and 800 HUF by the end of May.
1 HUF = 0.003 Euro
Source: magyarhirlap.hu
