Grüne Woche, Berlin, part 1 – In addition to consumers, Hungarians also met purchasers in Berlin

In January, Hungarian food products were given media surface in the value of HUF 30-50 million in Germany – Hungary was the partner country at the Grüne Woche food and agriculture fair in Berlin. For ten days, more than 400,000 visitors had the chance to taste salami, sausage, Erős Pista and other products. Hungary first participated at Grüne Woche in 1972, where this year there were 1,600 exhibitors from 56 countries. What conclusions can we Hungarians draw this year? 1. Hungarian products can be competitive abroad and there is demand for them. 2. Food prices are about to increase as demand for food grows in China and India. 3. The confrontation between market mechanisms and political intervention will continue. Frigyes Zernig, foreign trade director of Hungerit said they participated again after six year and was hopeful about the meeting with German retailers and wholesalers, organised by the Agricultural Marketing Centre (AMC). About 40 other Hungarian companies had the same hopes: at the stand of PICK Szeged, export manager János Bakacsi promoted Puszta sausage, Puszta snack and mangalica sausage. At Bonbonetti, export manager Viktória Wendt told us that their samples were selected by Kaufhof’s experts and Cherry Queen liqueur pralines were the most popular. Cerbona and Univer were also present with large stands. This year was the first when Hungarian community exhibition, organised by AMC, occupied a complete hall. There was a huge Rubik’s cube, a model of Lake Balaton, a Hungarian ‘csárda’ with Gypsy music where György Vécsy and his team guaranteed Hungarian hospitality. At the 10.2 ‘Hungarian‘ hall József Gráf, the Minister of Agriculture and Regional Development treated 50 foreign journalists to Hungarian salami, sausage, green pepper and other specialties. In the fair centre, the Minister held an official press conference as well, where he informed 80 foreign journalists about the wide selection of top-quality Hungarian food products.