This year, Hungary's watermelon season has commenced two weeks earlier than usual, unaffected by frost damage. Minister of Agriculture, István Nagy, shared this update via a video on his social media. He noted the upward trend in watermelon exports and steady domestic consumption, with Hungarians consuming 10-12 kilograms of watermelons and 1.5-2.2 kilograms of melons per person annually.
In 2024, the country will see 1,198 watermelon producers and 269 melon producers, cultivating 3,665 hectares and 436 hectares respectively, marking an increase in cultivation areas. Nagy anticipates a harvest yield of 160-180,000 tons of watermelons this season, attributing this expectation to the current favourable weather conditions, which are conducive for melon growth. He also highlighted the significant growth in watermelon exports in 2023, reaching 47,000 tons, an 85% increase in value from the previous year, and discussed plans to enhance export volumes to Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland by capitalizing on Hungary's strategic location for efficient transportation.
Source: hungarytoday.hu