Foreign demand put pork exports back on track
Hungary's pork exports are expected to recover from recent woes in the second half of this year, the result of a government decision to maintain export subsidies, a moratorium on price rises and growing demand in neighbouring countries to the south and east.
"The pig breeders in the neighbouring countries faced a very difficult situation after last summer's drought and the subsequent shortage in animal feed, so currently they have to keep imports up to supply local markets," said László Zádori, secretary general of the Meat and Cattle Product Council. "The exporters have discovered new market potential in the neighbouring countries, and this is a good chance to make up for some of the losses of the first four months." Hungarian pork exports total around $300 million annually.
The latest animal count taken in April showed that Hungary had pig stocks of 4,716,000, down 2% from last December and down 6% year-on-year; roughly one-third of the Hungarian pork stock is exported.
