Non-EU countries also show great interest in Hungarian agri-food products

With regard to the International Grüne Woche, our magazine asked Zsanett Oláh, CEO of the Hungarian National Trading House (MNKH) to talk about the export opportunities of Hungary’s agri-food
sector.

T. M.: – Hungary’s agri-food sector has excellent characteristics even at international level. What are our main export products?

– In Hungary the quality of agricultural land, optimal climate conditions and a large quantity of quality water create a competitive advantage for agricultural production. Combined with the knowledge and skills of experts and the high level of technology used, we can produce high-quality agri-food product such as seeds, animal feed and premium quality food.

T. M.: – What are the most important markets for these products?

– Mainly the European Union – in 2015 Germany, Romania, Austria and Italy were the biggest buyers of Hungarian agri-food products. We are trying to sell more and more Hungarian products and technologies in the regions of the South and the East, too. Our experience is that these regions – the Near East, South East Asia, CIS states – show great interest in Hungarian agri-food products.

T. M.: – How can the trading house help Hungarian agri-food products enter foreign markets?

– The agri-food sector plays a vital role in speeding up the country’s economy and export. When MNKH gets in touch with a Hungarian business that wishes to export, it analyses the export capabilities of the enterprise and based on the results we recommend target countries. We also provide them with practical information that can improve their export performance. MNKH has offices in nearly 60 countries on 4 continents and we also organise business matchmaking events and forums.

T. M.: –Just recently Hungarian businesses participated in the prestigious Internationale Grüne Woche trade fair. What kind of opportunities do these trade exhibitions create for agricultural enterprises?

– The biggest added value of a trade show like this is that Hungarian companies get the chance to position themselves in the international market, showcasing their products and services to prospective business partners. For instance at the Grüne Woche in Berlin 400,000 trade visitors from 60 countries were present. What is more, this year Hungary had the partner country status, so we got special attention. At the more than 100m² Hungarian stand nearly 30 companies were present, courtesy of the Agricultural Marketing Centre.

T. M.: – If I am not mistaken, you also introduced the Áldomás product range at Grüne Woche. In what stage do we find the project now?

– In 2016 we made great progress in launching this premium category food product range. So far 130 products of 34 producers have earned the right to use the Consumer Friendly Trademark that is tied to the Áldomás brand. Áldomás products were also present at the gastronomy festival Taste of London in the last quarter of 2016, and in Hungary they are available in 8 Príma stores for a test period. These products have already been showcased at various events in other important target countries such as the USA, Japan, Russia, Germany and the Benelux states. (x)