The market, located in Budapest's 23rd district, supplies produce to supermarkets, independent greengrocers, restaurants and other food businesses across Hungary. 

It plays a key role in the country's fresh produce supply chain, with traders buying and selling large volumes of fruit and vegetables every day.

According to NAV, investigators questioned seven suspects as part of the operation, while two people were taken into custody. 

Authorities also froze bank accounts and seized several vehicles believed to be connected to the alleged fraud.

In an unusual twist, officials confiscated a shipment of bananas during the investigation. The fruit was subsequently sold, generating around HUF 20 million, with the proceeds secured as part of the case.

NAV said the suspected tax fraud caused losses of approximately HUF 3.7 billion in unpaid value-added tax (VAT). 

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not yet disclosed further details about how the alleged scheme operated or whether additional arrests are expected.

The case highlights the continued focus by Hungarian tax authorities on tackling VAT fraud in the wholesale food sector, where complex supply chains and high-volume trading can make fraudulent invoicing and tax evasion difficult to detect.

Source: 
MTI / NAV

Photo: Pixabay

MTI Stock Photo

Source: MTI – Hungary’s national news agency since 1881.

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