Hungary’s paprika farmers fight drought and imports to save harvest
Hungarian paprika producers are working through Europe's driest summer to protect their crops while facing competition from cheap foreign imports.
Farmers battle extreme weather conditions
Nikoletta and Laszlo Pajsan worked long hours to save their red pepper harvest in southern Hungary. They could not irrigate much of their land because power lines run across the plot. Despite the heat, the couple found their crop turned out bigger than in previous years.
Production area has fallen sharply
Official statistics show the land used for paprika peaked at 13,029 hectares in 1979. By 2024 that figure had dropped to just 1,410 hectares as many small producers closed their businesses. Cheap imports from China and South America continue to squeeze local growers.
Climate change adds new costs
Robert Braj notes that climate change is making paprika production more difficult for the remaining farmers. The rising temperatures and lack of water force growers to loosen soil repeatedly to keep plants alive.
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