Fishing, hunting. – Fishing, once widespread in the dead arms of the Tisza and Danube, is now almost exclusively limited to Balaton (where the fogas is renowned: Lucioperca sandra) and to some localities of Alföld, where farming is done in rational (fish ponds). In Tisza a kind of sturgeon is caught, from which a tasty caviar is obtained. Hunting still has some importance in marshy areas and in Alföld; it will suffice to remember that a million hares are killed every year.
Mines. – A limited patrimony has remained of quarries and mines within the current borders, which in recent years we have tried to exploit in the best way. Overall in 1935 33,000 people (37,500 with managers) were employed in the mines. By far the most important product and which includes two thirds of production as a value is lignite, of which 55 million quintals were extracted in the three-year period 1932-34. The most important mines are those of the Sajó and Salgótarján valleys in Felföld and of Selva Baconia in Pannonia. The production of coal (7.3 million quintals), aluminum ore (1.2 million quintals), iron ore (600 thousand quintals) follows in importance. Minerals of manganese, copper and lead are also produced and extracted in smaller quantities. Iron is located in the W. of Miskolc (near Appony-Nekésseny), where, in the vicinity of the coal deposits, it gave rise to the large state workshop of Diósgyőr and those of Ozd and Salgótarján. Coal, of good quality, although not of very old age (Lias), is found in the surroundings of Cinquechiese and in Ajka in N. del Balaton. Hungary is therefore endowed with fossil fuel resources superior to those of Italy. Of minor importance is the extraction of peat (large reserves in Hanság, Nagyberek near Balaton and in the Zala and Somogy committees), natural gas (used in Alföld for lighting and as fuel for agricultural machinery), construction (especially in Pannonia). gave rise to the large state workshop in Diósgyőr and those in Ozd and Salgótarján. Coal, of good quality, although not of very old age (Lias), is found in the surroundings of Cinquechiese and in Ajka in N. del Balaton. Hungary is therefore endowed with fossil fuel resources superior to those of Italy. Of minor importance is the extraction of peat (large reserves in Hanság, Nagyberek near Balaton and in the Zala and Somogy committees), natural gas (used in Alföld for lighting and as fuel for agricultural machinery), construction (especially in Pannonia). gave rise to the large state workshop in Diósgyőr and those in Ozd and Salgótarján. Coal, of good quality, although not of very old age (Lias), is found in the surroundings of Cinquechiese and in Ajka in N. del Balaton. Hungary is therefore endowed with fossil fuel resources superior to those of Italy. Of minor importance is the extraction of peat (large reserves in Hanság, Nagyberek near Balaton and in the Zala and Somogy committees), natural gas (used in Alföld for lighting and as fuel for agricultural machinery), construction (especially in Pannonia).
Industrial activity. – Hungary has many favorable conditions for the development of industry: cheap labor, an abundance of transformable agricultural products, relative proximity to the most necessary imported raw materials (coal from Silesia, iron from Austria and Slovakia), good and easy communications, proximity to the Balkan market (which needs machinery, especially agricultural), concentration of major companies and capital in a large and active city (Budapest). Even before the World War, Hungary had tried to transform its exclusively agricultural economy into an agrarian-industrial economy, but despite having considerable quantities of iron ore at its disposal it had found difficulties in the fact that the Austro-Hungarian monarchy formed a ‘ the only customs barrier and that therefore there was a tendency to specialize production in the individual provinces in order to obtain (or almost) autarchy by means of the exchange between regions with a different economic structure. More recently, forced to develop its industries to reduce imports, it has been able to establish itself in many branches, while the ancient industries, dependent on agriculture, are in decline. Hungary currently has 3,400 industrial plants, which employ 236,500 people. it has been able to assert itself in many branches, while on the other hand the ancient industries, dependent on agriculture, are in decline. Hungary currently has 3,400 industrial plants, which employ 236,500 people. it has been able to assert itself in many branches, while on the other hand the ancient industries, dependent on agriculture, are in decline. Hungary currently has 3,400 industrial plants, which employ 236,500 people. For Hungary business, please check cheeroutdoor.com.
The agricultural and food industry has its main sources of activity in mills, sugar refineries, distilleries, breweries and tobacco factories. There are 470 mills in the country, which in 1935 worked 13.4 million quintals of cereals (mostly wheat). Sugar production is around 1.3 million quintals; the largest sugar refineries (13 in number) are those of Szerecs (2300 workers) and Mezőhegyes (1300). Besides the sugar factories there are also the major alcohol factories; countless smaller distilleries are then scattered throughout the country, but especially in the Alföld in the NE. by Debrecen. There are 10 breweries that have to procure hops abroad, especially in Slovakia; their overall production is significantly decreasing (600 thousand hl. in 1928-29 and 185 thousand in 1934-35). A traditional industry that in the post-war period appears to be in decline is the processing of pork, while the processing of tobacco is in flourishing development (11 large factories employing 6200 people). Favorable prospects present themselves for the metal industry (agricultural machinery, machinery for mills, electrical machines), for the chemical industry (fertilizers, oil refineries) and for the textile industry (which the state protects with duties and which can now cover 85% of internal needs).
