Examining the production and market trends of baby leaf salads and edible flowers through the example of a hungarian family farm

Abstract

The aim of this research is to explore the production and sales patterns of baby leaf salads and edible flowers in a small-scale family farm that has been operating for more than two decades in Balástya. The study is novel, as the Hungarian literature provides very limited documentation on the cultivation, market role, or gastronomic relevance of these product groups. The analysis relies on primary data, including several years of production and sales records, which allow for the assessment of market sensitivity and adaptive capacity. Particular attention is given to the period between 2019 and 2024, with special focus on the effects of the COVID19 pandemic, which caused a sharp decline in demand for products linked to premium gastronomy. The findings indicate that the dynamics of small-scale farming differ markedly from international large-scale models and require a distinct analytical approach.