Hungary Calls for Urgent EU Intervention Amid Dairy Price Crisis

Concerns over the European dairy market have intensified, as Hungary has urged the EU for urgent intervention to address plummeting milk prices. Speaking ahead of an EU meeting, Hungary’s Agriculture Minister, István Nagy, highlighted the gravity of the situation for dairy producers in various member states.

The minister pointed out that milk procurement prices have sharply declined from around 53 cents to near 20 cents per litre in certain markets. This significant drop reflects an imbalance between supply and demand, placing considerable pressure on farm viability.

In response, Hungary is advocating for the European Commission to activate market support mechanisms, specifically private storage aid for surplus butter and cheese. This measure would temporarily withdraw excess products from the market to stabilize prices.

Additionally, Budapest is seeking financial assistance to support dairy farmers during this downturn. Minister Nagy emphasized the critical role of dairy producers in Hungarian agriculture and rural livelihoods.

The issue is not isolated to Hungary, with Italy also calling for a discussion on milk market conditions, indicating widespread price pressures across the bloc. The European Commission faces increased calls to deploy support tools promptly.

Beyond immediate market concerns, Hungary has linked the dairy downturn to broader trade policy issues. Alongside other countries, Hungary is advocating for safeguards in the proposed EU–Mercosur trade agreement, emphasizing the need to protect sensitive agricultural sectors.

The ongoing discussions at the EU Council meeting also cover the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and regulatory standards. Hungary insists that CAP funding should remain stable to support farmers amid global uncertainties.