Portfolio AgroFood 2025

One of the main topics of the session will be the impact of the retail margin cap introduced as part of anti-inflationary measures in the food trade, and whether the measure could be extended beyond 31 May. The panel aims to present an insightful forecast of food market trends and the key factors influencing consumption for industry stakeholders. Experts will also explore which international markets offer the most promising expansion opportunities for Hungarian food industry enterprises, and what types of collective marketing programmes are available to support successful international growth. The session will also address supplier relationships between the food industry and the food retail sector, and the specific requirements that major retail chains set for their food industry suppliers.
 
Will the retail margin cap in the food trade continue after 31 May?

Can we expect an increase or a decline in domestic food consumption?

What government measures could influence the demand for food?

In which market relations and with which products could the industry expand its sales opportunities in international markets?

Which community marketing programmes can food industry businesses utilise for both domestic and international market presence?

How can the food industry become a successful supplier partner to food retail?

How are the expectations and requirements of major retail chains towards food industry suppliers changing?

The newly established National Trade and Consumer Protection Authority (NKFH), operating under the supervision of the Ministry of National Economy, has commenced its activities. This authority is expected to perform important regulatory tasks in the food market. This session will introduce the NKFH’s activities related to the food market and examine how the responsibilities of other regulatory bodies – particularly the National Food Chain Safety Office (NÉBIH) – will evolve. The discussion will provide insights into what food industry stakeholders can expect in terms of inspections in 2025 and which regulatory aspects will be prioritised in investigations and enforcement actions. As part of the government’s fight against inflation, the session will also review the outcomes of past food market investigations and measures taken by the Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH), along with its future plans for the food sector. Additionally, experts will examine the macroeconomic outlook for 2025 and whether these trends are likely to favour players in the food industry. The discussion will also cover changes in short- and long-term financing conditions for the industry, including the credit terms that businesses can expect. Experts will analyse what criteria banks prioritise when financing the food sector, as well as the financial tools and loan products available to help food industry businesses reduce and optimise borrowing costs.

What are the main responsibilities of the National Trade and Consumer Protection Authority in the food market? 

How will the creation of the NKFH alter the regulatory oversight of the food supply chain? 
 
What will be the key areas of regulatory inspection and enforcement? 

What role will the Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) play in the fight against inflation? 

What have been the GVH’s most significant food market investigation findings so far, and what further actions does it plan? 

What macroeconomic conditions are expected in 2025? 

What loan conditions can food industry businesses expect in short- and long-term financing?  

How are banking requirements for the industry changing? 

What are the most effective ways for food industry businesses to optimise their borrowing costs?

Due to the transformation of the labour market in the food industry, traditional employment forms such as labour leasing or social cooperatives no longer provide effective solutions. The sector's players must adapt to seasonal fluctuations, labour shortages, and economic challenges. During the discussion, we will review alternative employment opportunities, such as simplified employment (EFO), student work, the involvement of third-country workers, and the role of outsourcing. The goal is to identify which solutions work best for today's agricultural businesses and how HR service providers can assist in developing an effective employment strategy.
 
How might labour market processes evolve in 2025?

What are the key characteristics of employment in the food industry?

What is the employment situation in the food industry, and what are the sector's most significant labour market needs?

What alternative employment opportunities are available to businesses in the sector?
 
How can HR service providers assist in developing effective employment strategies?

What employment benefits and support can industry players access?

There have been significant regulatory changes in domestic food packaging recently, among which the provisions related to extended producer responsibility (EPR) and the deposit return system (DRS) have been particularly impactful. The session will discuss the experiences with the new regulatory requirements so far, as well as outline the expected further regulatory steps and how the costs related to compliance with regulations may evolve for food industry businesses. The session will present how the new EU regulation on packaging and packaging waste, which was introduced at the beginning of the year, will impose additional obligations on industry players in the coming years. Special emphasis will be placed on sustainability considerations, highlighting the importance for the food industry of adopting new products and technologies to meet modern packaging requirements.
 
What are the most significant experiences with regulatory changes related to food packaging (EPR, DRS)?

What additional regulatory changes are expected, and how might the costs for food industry players related to these changes evolve?

What does the new EU regulation on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR) stipulate?

How do they intend to enforce sustainability considerations in food packaging, and what obligations might this impose on industry players?

What are the key trends in sustainable food packaging, and what new products and technologies can food industry companies use?

It has become essential in today's food economy for businesses to collect an adequate quantity and quality of data about their activities and to use the information in a way that allows them to improve the effectiveness of their operations. The session provides examples of how food industry businesses can significantly enhance their competitiveness through technological and digital developments, data collected from their operations, and the use of artificial intelligence. In addition, the discussion will cover the role short supply chains can play in the food chain, as well as how sales chains can be shortened in an economical and viable way in the domestic market.

What digital developments should domestic food industry players implement?

How can businesses collect an adequate quantity and quality of data about their operations through the technological developments they have implemented?

How can data collected from business operations be utilised to significantly improve agricultural performance?

What role can artificial intelligence play in improving the efficiency of food industry companies?

What do short supply chains mean in the domestic market, and what roles might they have in the food chain?

How can sales channels be shortened in the domestic food supply chain?

The demand for special foods is significantly increasing in Hungary, as a growing number of consumers suffer from diseases – such as gluten intolerance, milk protein allergy, lactose intolerance, or diabetes – that fundamentally affect their dietary options. Due to the importance of establishing a healthy lifestyle, it is essential that individuals suffering from nutritional allergies follow the appropriate diet, for which various "free-from" foods can provide support. The session will present the market opportunities for free-from products and how food industry companies can prepare to meet the growing demand. It will also explore the business opportunities this offers, as well as the manufacturing technologies and other developments they need to implement to meet the specific consumer needs with high quality.

How are consumer demands for free-from foods changing in Hungary?

What types of foods are needed to satisfy the specific consumer demand?

How can food industry companies prepare to successfully perform in the growing market for free-from foods?

What developments need to be made to produce high-quality free-from foods?

What legal regulations and standards apply to the production of free-from products?

What additional costs and business benefits could the production of free-from foods bring to industry businesses?