Bio in movement

Bio products are becoming more popular. Their number is growing not only in market places but stores as well. The proportion of bio products within total Hungarian food consumption is estimated at 0,5 per cent. According to Péter Roszik, managing director of Biokontroll Hungária Kht, two per cent of farmland in Hungary is used for producing bio-products at the moment. The criteria to be met by products labelled “bio” or “eco” is defined in decree no. 2092/91 of the EU Council. It is also among the objectives of Biokontroll to promote the production of bio-products among farmers and to organise training courses for farmers and food processors. Basically, there are two kinds of bio-farmers: the smaller ones do a lot of manual labour, while the larger ones use professional methods, but in compliance with relevant rules. At the moment, there seem to be more producers of bio-products in Hungary, than consumers. Szikrai Borászati Kft. began developing their bio-drinks four years ago. Their 25 and 100 per cent fruit drinks appeared on the market two years ago. For Bio Vita products, they do not expect rapid expansion, but they are already present in Auchan stores. They also have a bio fruit syrup product line named Fino Familia, made primarily from domestic fruits. The products of Zöldfarm Biotej come from cattle grazed on the protected lands of Körös-Maros Nemzeti Park and Körös-Maros Biofarm Kft. The Zöldfarm product line of Naszálytej Zrt. in Vác consist of 1,5 per cent and 2,8 per cent fat content milk in Tetra Pak packaging. They also make bio yoghurts and bio milk creams with fruits. Biopont Kft. has over 300 products, like vegetables, fruit juices, milk and meat substitutes, oily seeds, flours, bio-sweets, cereals etc. which are listed in all the major retail chains. As competition is increasing in this segment, prices will no longer stay unreasonably high. The 4700 hectare lakes of Hortobágyi Halászati Zrt. are located in the protected area of Hortobágyi Nemzeti Park, which allows them to produce bio-fish. In addition to being present in Cora, they also export fish to Germany and Austria. According to Zsuzsa Laber from SPAR Magyarország Kereskedelmi Kft., they carry bio-products for exceptionally health-conscious customers. This means 250-300 products, with an average price 30-50 per cent above the price of conventional products. Their Natur Pur product line, classified as “completely free of genetic modifications” appeared two years ago. In Spar stores, fresh bio products are the most popular ones. Since the introduction of the Natur Pur product line, sales of bio-products have grown by 50 per cent.