Bakeries are the place to get your daily bread!

József Septe
president
Hungarian Baker Association

József Septe, president of the Hungarian Baker Association talked to our magazine about how the baking industry had been suffering for years from the loss they were making on the most frequently purchased baked goods, because retail chains forced baking companies into an unfair price competition. For many years bakeries were unable to invest in technological development. To make things worse, there are 6,000 workers missing from the sector and from these unfilled positions 3,000 are bakers. Recently the baker associations of countries in Central and Eastern Europe joined forces, fighting together across borders against anti-competitive practices and unfair trading practices.

The president informed that the market share of white and semi-brown breads is decreasing. On the one hand because shoppers are more conscious and some of them have special dietary needs, on the other hand because supply is getting smaller as these breads, together with bread rolls can’t be manufactured profitably. Shoppers are slowly realising that quality baked goods can’t be made at low costs.
Mr Septe told that the Hungarian Baker Association has been representing the interests of the baking industry for 30 years. The association organises trainings and competitions for bakers, and there are also presentations where they can learn about the latest products and technologies. Association members also profit from services such as joint purchasing, grant programmes, marketing and communication activities.