Boost in price and sales of pasta

Retail sales of pasta total neerly HUF 27 billion per year. Sales were up by 21 percent in terms of value in the October 2007 – September 2008 period, compared to the preceding year. Consumer prices have soared this year, reaching HUF 514 in August this year, which was 15 percent more than a year before. Pasta ranks 11th on the Nielsen top list of biggest selling categories. Short pasta made with 4 eggs remains the most popular type, accounting for over one third of total sales. Pastas made with 4 eggs account for 50 percent of total sales. Private labels account for 38 percent of total sales in terms of quantity. The market share of imported pasta was down by 2 percent to 44 percent. 0-400 square meter stores accounted for 45 percent of total sales in the above period, while hyper markets held a market share of 25 percent and supermarkets had 30 percent.