Spring wave of Austrian weeks

Spar, Cora, Metro. These three chains have organised Austrian food weeks in Hungary this spring. The three year long international promotional campaign for Austrian food with an annual budget of EUR 40 million has reached its final stage. Four years ago, only one Austrian supplier was listed in Hungarian SPAR. Today, this number is 280. Made in Austria: dairy products from fresh milk to cheese, meat products, sweets and beverages are the most popular products. Suppliers are generally small to medium enterprises. Austrian manufacturers usually only produce small quantities, but quality is exceptionally good. Strict supervision of the production process and the monitoring of products is a guarantee of high quality – says dr. Peter Rejtő from the commercial section of the Austrian Embassy. Austrians have learned a lot from the effects of their accession to the EU, when their food industry had experienced a minor shock. They were ready to take advantage of the opportunities for entering new markets when the new EU states joined in 2004. Austrian products are no more expensive than other imports, while Austrian taste and preferences are very close to that of Hungarians. Austrian manufacturers will present their products on a national stand during Foodapest. According to the commercial attaché Heinz Thenmeyer, some Hungarian chains prefer to import directly from manufacturers. Austrian food exports to Hungary have doubled since 2003 and this trend continues. Hungarian exports to Austria are still 40 per cent higher, however. The main objective of SPAR and Cora in organising Austrian weeks was to select products for widening their assortment. Three brands of bio cheese and Mozart chocolate balls are examples of successful Austrian products.