Hungary : agriculture and the environment

Agriculture contributes 20.4% to the GDP, while agriculture and food processing together account for about 30% of national production, 24% of exports, and an even larger percentage of hard currency exports. State farms (136) and cooperatives (1,246) possess 87% of the land; small private farmers own only about 12% of the land, yet these individuals account for nearly 37% of gross production (mainly fruits, vegetables, and viticulture). However, Hungary is moving toward privatization of agricultural lands. Some 70-80% of arable lands and 35-40% of forests may become private property. This report is divided into three sections. The first presents an agricultural overview focusing on fertilizer, irrigation, and forestry. Section 2 covers Hungarian government priorities in agriculture and the environment, while Section 3 presents initiatives for U.S. support to Hungarian agriculture.