Hungarians are among Europe’s biggest mineral water drinkers

In 2016 per capita mineral water consumption was 121 litres, representing 55 percent of non-alcoholic drink consumption. Hungarian mineral consumption is the fifth biggest in the European Union. Until 2016 Hungarians had preferred carbonated mineral water, but last year 51 percent of total consumption was still mineral waters.

According to Istvánné Bikfalvi, secretary of the Hungarian Mineral Water, Fruit Juice and Soft Drink Association, Hungary is rich in mineral and thermal waters. The majority of bottled waters are mineral water, but spring water, drinking water and various water-based drinks are also sold in bottles. About 45 percent of mineral waters sold are manufacturer brands and 55 percent are the private label products of retail chains.

The secretary revealed that only 5-6 percent of Hungarian mineral waters are exported. At the moment 18 companies bottle mineral water in Hungary and 80 percent of the total volume is marketed by four large companies.

Ms Bikfalvi is of the opinion that world-class production technology used in Hungary. Consumers like mineral water because they have realised that the product has beneficial health effects. The biggest challenge ahead of the mineral water sector is to do away with certain misconceptions that still prevail among consumers, and by doing this to keep up the excellent sales results. //