Only mineral water sales grew

In the past decade, non-alcoholic beverage consumption had been growing in Hungary, but in 2009 it stalled. Only mineral water producers were able to improve sales: they achieved a 5-6-percent growth and this trend may continue in 2010. Per capita consumption seems to be stable at an annual 105 litres. In 2009, both the 2nd and 3rd quarters realised 30 percent of sales. As for carbonated soft drinks, sales have been stagnating for years. Last year consumption fell; cola drinks are still the most popular with their 55-percent share. Hungarian fruit juice production still has a 600 million-litre production capacity therefore import is not significant. Orange leads the market with a 38-percent share, but sales are declining: Hungarian households bought 13 percent less fruit juice in the first half of 2009.