Hungarian Confectionery Manufacturers Association: Hungarian confectionery industry balances in a stagnant market

According to the organization’s statement on Monday, last year’s winner in terms of volume sold was ice cream, which was sold 10 percent more than the previous year, while candy was sold 4 percent more and chips 6 percent more. Sales of all other categories decreased, for example, chocolate bars by 8 percent, desserts by 5 percent, and biscuits by 2 percent.

Despite the stagnant volume, the value of turnover increased by about 7 percent last year. It was noted that despite the numerous price-pushing effects, the average price increase for sweets did not differ substantially from the 6 percent level of food prices measured by the Central Statistical Office of Hungary.

According to the professional organization, Hungarian consumers are not giving up sweets, this is especially evident during the holiday periods. At Easter, for example, candy sales typically increase by 15-20 percent compared to the rest of the year.

The price increase has been continuous for years, so consumers are increasingly prioritizing the price-value ratio, increasingly consciously choosing private label or lower-priced but high-quality products, they wrote.