Targeted Support of the Wine Sector Reflected in Improved Quality

The quality and technological background of the Hungarian wine industry has also strengthened in recent times, which is mainly due to the development and investment support programs, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said in Izsák, Bács-Kiskun County, central Hungary.

Zsolt Feldman, speaking at a grape-growers’ forum held at the local town hall, noted that there are 58,249 hectares of vineyards in the country as of July 31, 2024. This year, it is estimated that there will be around 2.9-3 million hectoliters of new wine and must.

The national average yield estimate is 83 quintals (1 quintal = 100 kg) per hectare, in line with the average for many years. According to last year’s figures, wine consumption is 18.7 liters per capita per year.

Speaking about the support for the wine sector, the politician said that the vine restructuring aid has essentially financed the renewal of 90 to 95 percent of the domestic vineyards in recent years. He added that the amounts of aid in this area had been increased so that they could incorporate the loss of income resulting from the non-productive nature of a vineyard under renewal.

It will be possible to submit a grant application for restructuring the vineyard from November 2 to 30 this year. The budget for the period 2024 to 2027 is EUR 71 million.

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For investments in the wine sector, the budget is EUR 21 million for the period up to 2027. Applications will be accepted from March 1 to 20, 2025. In addition to winemaking machines and technological equipment, it will also be possible to apply for support for non-independent solar systems and business software, he noted.

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Mr Feldman pointed out that the call for applications for investment grants of up to HUF 200 million (EUR 503,585) was opened in August and was open until September, and was met with intense interest. He said that the national call for complex food processing was now also open, where wineries could apply for support for projects over HUF 200 million.

He also announced that there would be a new scheme for support for wine innovation.

This will be aimed at supporting the introduction of technologies and processes not yet used in the country, enabling operators in the sector to reach new markets and consumers.

He mentioned the production of alcohol-reduced and de-alcoholized wine products as an example. Applications for support are expected to be open in the first quarter of 2025. The budget for the current period is EUR 1.5 million.

Furthermore, the budget for promotional grants is EUR 6 million, and according to the plans, grant applications can be submitted in December 2024.

The State Secretary underlined that the application period for new planting permits will reopen in October. In a related development, the new planting aid for plantations (EMVA, rural development) is also scheduled to open in November this year.

Details of the calls for proposals are available on kap.gov.hu.

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