Hungary’s grain stores are half full, a survey conducted by the agriculture ministry with the cooperation of the National Agriculture Chamber (NAK) shows, state secretary Zsolt Feldman said on Friday. The estimate was based on data provided voluntarily by market players with capacity to store 5.6 million tonnes of grain, Feldman said. Total grain storage capacity in Hungary stands at 20 million-22 million tonnes, he added. He acknowledged that the ratio is “very high” compared to earlier years, as grain stores are usually empty in May, but said that capacity will be sufficient for the expected 7m-tonne summer harvest.
He noted that 1.3 million tonnes of grain were sold on export markets in the first quarter. Exports are 35% under the five-year average due to last year’s drought and changed demand on export markets, he said.