Increasingly popular beer specialities

According to the Hungarian Association of Breweries, the combined sales of the four large breweries increased by 5.6 per cent last year. Lager beer continues to account for 68 per cent of total sales. Rises in the price of materials and energy as well as rising tax have all created problems for the brewery industry, as unfavourable market trends did not allow these cost increases to be incorporated into prices. Per capita beer consumption of 70 litres has been stable for years. One of the reasons for the modest consumption is that beer is not very popular among ladies in Hungary. Popular, traditional brands account for the largest part of the quantity sold. Sales of premium brands have increased in recent years, as a result of successful brand building. Sales of beer specialities also show a five-fold increase in 2006, compared to 2005. While sales only grew by 5.6 per cent, energy and packaging costs both increased by 20 per cent. The prices of barley and hop have also begun to rise in most EU markets, at the end of the summer. The price of malt is expected to rise by 40-90 per cent, depending on type, while hop price is likely to go up by 30-40 per cent. Breweries will be forced to raise consumer prices by 5-10 per cent before the end of the year. Apart from joint action to protect their interests, breweries also accepted a code of self regulation in 2006. They repeated their campaign against drunk driving (JÓFEJ) in 2006.