Sprouted vegetables are grown in heated greenhouses as well as in heated and cold foils. Hungary's vegetable growing area is approximately 90 thousand hectares, of which 220-230 hectares of greenhouse. The most important growing areas are in Csongrád-Csanád and Bács-Kiskun, and in the southern part of the Pest county.
Pepper plants were planted in greenhouses heated with thermal water in October-December 2020. There were extremely poor lighting conditions in December-January, with the producers measuring the worst radiation in 15 years. At the beginning of the year, 30-40 percent fewer goods were on the market than usual. Fortunately, the lighting conditions have been more favorable in recent weeks. Greenhouse planting of tomatoes began in December-January. The seedlings received almost 100% backlight, so the lack of light is not noticeable anymore, and the stands are beautiful. Larger quantities of goods from peppers and tomatoes are also expected around Easter.
Peppers and tomatoes were planted in the heated foils between mid-January and mid-February. Picking is expected to be done in the second half of April. The cold in early February was no major problem as extra cover was used and there was sunshine. Pickups are expected to begin around April 15th. The harvest is planned by the producers for the end of May and the beginning of June.
Among the sprouted crops, the cabbage and tomato growth acreage has decreased more strongly in recent years, that of peppers and cucumbers has not changed, while that of lettuce has increased significantly. In quantity, however, tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce grew, while peppers stagnated and cabbage fell. In 2019, producers harvested about 415 thousand tons of sprouted vegetables: 185 thousand from peppers, 130 thousand from tomatoes (interestingly, the proportion of cocktail and cherry tomatoes is growing), 36 thousand tons from snake cucumbers and 22 thousand tons from cabbage fruits. Sprouted mushroom production amounted to 31 thousand tons.
For more information:
Hungarian chamber of agriculture (Nemzeti Agrárgazdasági Kamara)
www.nak.hu