Published on: 6 December 2024

Value of output of agriculture 8.0% lower than in previous year

The total output of agriculture was above 4.0 thousand billion forints in 2024, being 8.0% lower than in the previous year. The lessening resulted from a combined narrowing of 4.4% in the total volume of production and of 3.8% in the price level. The volume of crop production was 11% smaller and that of livestock production 4.9% larger. The lessening in production affected almost all product groups, except for potatoes, live animals and animal products. The performance of agriculture became lower first of all owing to the weather with a lack of precipitation and the summer drought, which factors held back crop production. The expanding volume of livestock production did not compensate for the effect of the lessening producer price level of the sector.

In 2024 compared to previous year:

The volume of output of crop production decreased by 11% and its price level by 2.5% according to the first, preliminary data. The quantity of cereals was down by 16% in total, within which the quantity of barely by 29%, that of maize by 19% and the quantity of wheat by 9.8%. The production of rape became 31% and that of sunflower 13% smaller. The production of protein crops and sugar beet grew and that of tobacco decreased, so the production of industrial crops became 11% lower in total. The volume of forage plants lessened by 4.6% and that of horticultural products by 1.7%. The volume of fruits went down by 12%, within which the production of apple by 31%, however, that of peach increased by 39%. The volume of wine became 6.0% smaller and the volume of other crop products was unchanged.

The total volume of output of livestock production expanded by 4.9%. The production of live animals was up by 5.8% and that of animal products by 2.9%.

The value of the output of the agricultural sector (including services and secondary activities) narrowed by 8.0% at current basic prices, its volume of production by 4.4% and its price level by 3.8%.

The volume of intermediate consumption increased by 2.9% and its prices were cut by a total 7.8%. Out of inputs, the volume of both fertilisers and plant protection products expanded by 15%, that of veterinary expenses by 3.1% and the volume of animal feeding stuffs by 2.5%, and the rest of the inputs slightly went down or remained unchanged according to the first estimates.

Gross value added narrowed by 13% and its volume by 17%. Labour input in agriculture was 5.6%, factor income 15% and entrepreneurial income 35% lower than a year earlier.