Hungary is the leading producer of horseradish in the European Union, accounting for nearly half of the EU's annual production of about thirty thousand tons. The plant is naturally found in Hungary and is primarily cultivated in the Northern Great Plain. The horseradish harvest usually begins in mid-October and can be stored for a long time under the right conditions. The root is used as a seasoning in the food industry and is especially important for pickled and preserved products. The majority of the horseradish is exported to Germany, the UK, Poland, and the Czech Republic.