This year marked a significant gathering of industry professionals focused on Hungarian potato production and market trends at a conference organized by the National Potato Association and Product Council (OBTT). Held in alignment with World Potato Day on May 30, the event addressed key topics including advances in cultivation methods, market outlooks both domestic and global, sustainability initiatives, and findings from a 2025 study on local consumption. The Potato Traveling Award was also presented for the second time during the conference.
The potato, a non-cereal staple with a long-standing role in global diets, plays a vital role in food security due to its adaptability to climate extremes and high nutritional value. Its significance in sustainable agriculture was globally recognized when the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations designated May 30 as International Potato Day in 2024.
At the "Everything About Potatoes" conference, organized by OBTT, participants reviewed the current state of Hungarian potato cultivation, consumer behavior related to table potatoes, and expectations within the sector. The conference served as a platform for knowledge exchange and sector-wide collaboration.
In his opening address at Hungexpo in Budapest, OBTT President Gábor Kecskés highlighted the council's objective to unify producers committed to improving production efficiency and aligning outputs with retail requirements. "Events like this support the cooperation and collaboration between the players in the sector the most, when those involved in the product chain can think together," he noted.
Imre Hubai, State Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development, reinforced the importance of the crop, stating: "Potatoes are not only a staple food, but also an important source of income for rural farms. Our goal is to increase the efficiency of domestic potato production by at least twenty percent in the coming years, and at the same time strengthen the market position of producers." Hubai also cited government support through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), mentioning that "more than 10,000 agricultural and food industry enterprises received a total of more than USD 3.3 billion in support" during 2021–2022.
Source: Trade Magazin
