Consumer confidence in domestic meat unbroken

According to data from the GfK Hungária ConsumerScan the sliced cold meat consumption of Hungarian households was up by almost ten per cent in the first four months of 2008, compared to the same period in 2007, mainly as a result of larger quantities purchased at stagnating prices. Average prices showed stagnation, while both the quantities purchased and the frequency of purchases increased. The market share of private labels was up to 29 per cent from 28 in 2007. Sales of private labels produced an increase of 11 per cent in 12 months, while sales of brand products expanded by 8 per cent. 50 per cent of Hungarian households purchased some kind of private label product in the January-April period. Private labels were 20 per cent cheaper on average compared to brand products and their prices actually dropped by 2 per cent compared to 2007. The market produced overall growth of 13 per cent in terms of value, mainly as a result of a 14 per cent increase in revenues for brand products. The ham segment produced the smallest change in terms of quantity in the above period. Sales were down by 1 per cent in the first quarter of 2008, compared to 2007, mainly as a result of a drop in demand for private labels. The market share of this segment within the category was down by 2 per cent. The 3 per cent price rise in average price probably contributed to this decrease. The proportion of households which purchased ham in the above period was up by 1 per cent, but private labels accounted for the biggest part of this increase, with their market share reaching 28 per cent.