The Structure of Individual (Family) Farms in Hungary

In 2003 a research study looked at the position of smallholders; the survey was carried outusing questionnaires and interviews. The 613 farms included in the survey were situated in 3counties in the Southern Great Plain of Hungary and in 3 counties of the Western part of thecountry (Transdanubia). The results of the survey showed that there was a firm tendency ofconcentration among the Hungarian individual farms. Though their average size is about 3 ha,the number and area of farms over 50 ha size are rapidly growing and taking a significant partof the total individual agricultural area. The number of small farms is great but their totalfarming area is relatively small. The concentration takes place primarily due to renting. Theland market is sluggish mainly owing to the land-buying restrictions and the small intention tosell of those owners who are waiting for higher prices. Land prices are low but rising,especially on the western border of the country, near to Austria.