Magazine: The world of spices is getting more international

The introduction of the public health product fee (NETA) last year raised spice and dry condiment average prices. Anita Pethő, commercial director of Böllér Fűszer Kft. told our magazine that the category is very much exposed to exchange rate fluctuations, frequent changes in legislation and weather conditions. Since private labels are still going strong, the director reckons that from manufacturer brands lower-priced products can be sold more easily. Házi Piros Paprika Kft.’s experience is that basic spices generate the majority of sales but due to changing eating habits the proportion of herbs in sales is growing. Commercial director Péter Sinkó added that because of the same trend paprika sales are dropping. Unilever’s best-selling product is the condiment Delikát. Péter Forgács, junior brand manager of Unilever Hungary informed Trade magazin that most of their products are sold in paper bags, from the sizes of 50g to 1kg. Recently Delikát came out with a special product in the universal condiment category: Delikát Condiment for Chicken Dishes. The brand builds on traditions and the fact that Delikát products have been present in Hungarian kitchens for more than 40 years. Böllér Fűszer Kft.’s market position is stable. In its innovation activity the company focuses on developing new convenience products. This is the reason why they recently developed HUNGARIAN STYLE BASES: products that make it easier to prepare certain Hungarian dishes such as goulash soup, chicken paprika or stew. Házi Piros Paprika Kft. reduced the salt content of its spice mixes. In July two new products, a pleskavica and a cevapcici spice mix will appear in stores.