Added value for syrups as well

According to manufacturers, the sales of syrups are slowly shrinking. A vacuum has been created in the market by the disappearance of Szobi, one of the largest manufacturers. – Demand is shifting towards fruit syrups, while prices continue to rise as a result of a several fold increase in the price of fruit concentrates – says Tamás Rátvay, sales director of Szikrai Borászat Kft. Mrs. Csonkáné, Mária Fekete, the owner of a Bagaméri Szörpüzem also sees a drop in consumption. – Sales of syrups made with sweeteners are rising – she adds. – Low fruit content fruit drinks and soft drinks play a major role in reducing demand for sysrups – says János Gréczi, managing director of Gramex 2000 Kft. 0.7 and 0.75 litre returnable glass bottles are still the most popular form of packaging. Among private labels, demand is increasingly focused on .fruit syrups in returnable bottles. Health and environment friendly packaging are the priorities in innovation. Many of the well known brands are “remodelled” accordingly. Bio Vita fruit syrups has become the first item in the syrup assortment Metro. Bio syrups are more expensive than other products, but demand exists. – Quality is the main driving force behind sales – says Tamás Rátvay. According to János Gréczi, intensive promotional activities, with displays and leaflet campaigns can boost sales in the category. He does not see more effective promotional tools than these at the moment. They are continuously expanding their assortment and expect a significant increase in revenues this year, primarily as a result of wider distribution than before. They also plan to boost the export of private labels syrups.