Magazine: The promise of flavours

Few new flavours are able to stay on store shelves in the sauce market. István Bacskai, sales manager of Koch’s Torma Kft. told us that shops sell the same flavours from more manufacturers and consumers aren’t really eager to try new products. Retail chains give little time to new products to prove themselves. All of these factors have contributed to the slowing down in the category’s development. At the same time many new import products appear in the market – typically in the lower price and lower quality category. Rita Takács, brand manager of Maresi Foodbroker Kft. told our magazine that they distribute Tabasco® hot sauces and Kikkoman soy sauce. In the last few years sales of both brands increased considerably in the Hungarian market, partly because they contain natural ingredients only. Mr Bacskai revealed that salad dressings and grill or steak sauces both qualify as sauce. Salad dressing sales are slowly but steadily increasing. As for the sauces for meats, the company tries to offer products that aren’t only good with grilled meats but also with meats fried in the pan or in the oven at home. They also do their best to educate consumers about the beneficial health effects of eating horseradish. According to Ms Takács, Maresi’s goal is to be present in the kitchens of most restaurants. This is the reason why they have large-sized products in their portfolio, with which they target the Horeca segment.