Hungarian farmers faced Europe's driest summer on record while battling to save their red pepper harvest, which is used to produce the country's signature spice, paprika.
Official statistics show the total area devoted to paprika cultivation in Hungary plummeted from 13,029 hectares in 1979 to 1,410 hectares in 2024 due to economic pressures and climate change.
Small producers face severe challenges from cheap imports originating in China and South America, alongside extreme heatwaves, new pests, and local seasonal labor shortages.