Doing Business in Hungary 2010 - International Franchise Association

Agricultural Sectors Return to top
Best Prospects for Agricultural Products
1. Seed
1,000 METRIC TONS
2006 2007 2008
A TOTAL MARKET SIZE 279 187 221
B TOTAL LOCAL PRODUCTION 353 248 315
C TOTAL EXPORTS 87 76 120
D TOTAL IMPORTS 13 15 26
E IMPORTS FROM THE U.S. 5 4 4
Planting seed: Hungary is a traditional agricultural exporter. In that vein it imports high quality
planting seed for propagation and production. U.S. exports of vegetable, grass, forage and, in
particular, sunflower and corn seed have been traditionally strong in this market. One limitation
for new exporters is that the market is well established and trade linkages are solid. Hungary
implemented legislation governing the use, registration and imports of biotechnology plant
varieties including “coexistence regulation” in December, 2006. Hungary’s biotech policy is
closely tied to the EU (a full member since 2004) and commercial plantings will not be allowed
in the near future, due to a moratorium imposed in January 2005.
2. Soybean Meal
1,000 METRIC TONS
2006 2007 2008
A TOTAL MARKET SIZE 648 806 560
B TOTAL LOCAL PRODUCTION 3 2 2
C TOTAL EXPORTS 0 0 0
D TOTAL IMPORTS 645 804 558
E IMPORTS FROM THE U.S. 14 12 8
Soybean meal: Hungary is a large producer and exporter of livestock and products. Annual
consumption of soybean meal is about 600-700 thousand metric tons. Hungarian importers
have strong ties to South American soybean pellet exporters. However, the market is price
sensitive; when American soybean meal is price competitive with South American pellets,
Hungary will buy American.
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