“Global food supply chains are having to face complex challenges in view of the fact that on the one hand there is a huge quantitative demand because of the increase in the world population and changed in consumer regulations, and on the other hand as a result of negative processes on the supply side”, the Ministry of Agriculture’s Parliamentary State Secretary István Nagy told Hungarian news agency MTI on Friday in Brdo pri Kranju, Slovenia.

The State Secretary, who was attending the 8th China-CEEC Agro-Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum, explained that according to estimates global demand for food with increase by 70 percent by 2050, while the supply side if being it by negative processes such as climate change, a decrease in farmland, falling soil quality and the depletion of underground water stocks. As a result, many of the world’s food production methods are unsustainable and are likely to further weaken the environment and endanger its production capacity.

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Mr. Nagy said the Forum was attended by 16+1 countries, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the Baltic countries and China, all of who were searching for a solution to the question of how to successfully face the abovementioned global challenges in the upcoming period.

The State Secretary quoted Chinese Agriculture Minister Han Changfu, who said that while 20 percent of the world population lives in China, the country only had 10 percent of the world’s farmland and 6 percent of its drinking water resources, and accordingly China must count on having to import foor in the long term.

“This is good news for Hungary, because our Ester Opening policy and China’s One Belt, One Road policy are in harmony with each other”, the State Secretary highlighted.

“Hungary is the Central European country with the largest number of Chinese import licences, as a result of which Hungary exports, amongst others, pigs, geese, ducks, cattle and rabbit meat to China, as well as live horses and wheat, in addition to which it will soon also be able to export milk to the Asian country and would also like to increase its wine exports”, he detailed.

The State Secretary expressed his hope that the Agro-Trade Forum will serve as an excellent basis for increased cooperation, and that the expansion of relations with China will mean economic advantages for Hungary and the Central and Eastern European region.

On the sidelines of the Forum, Mr. Nagy also held bilateral talks with the Polish delegation. The two parties agreed that farmland must be removed from the category of freely transferable and marketable goods. “Farmland is a resource that enjoys special protection, and countries should have the right to determine what trade conditions apply to farmland at a national level”, Mr. Nagy said.

In closing, the State Secretary said that Hungary will also be participating in the AGRA International Agriculture and Food Industry Expo this year. “Slovenia is one of Hungary’s important partners”, he stressed, adding that it plays an important role in, amongst others, the production of beekeeping products.

He indicated that Hungary supports Slovenian Minister of Agriculture Dejan Židan’s proposal for the United Nations Organisation to recognise international Bee Day.

“Sustainable agricultural production is impossible without bees, and bees must be given special attention in view of environmental pollution and changing climate conditions”, Mr. Nagy underlined.

(Ministry of Agriculture Press Office)