Game spotting

By: Szalai László Date: 2024. 10. 02. 11:29

This article is available for reading in Trade magazin 2024/10

Retail trade continues to show a keen interest in game meat products and consumers are also becoming more open, according to game meat processing company Nativus. External conditions are also favourable, with easing inflation and competing meat prices having a positive impact on demand for game meat.

Miklós Támba
owner
Nativus

“Game meat not only offers a special taste experience, but also has a number of physiological benefits. Popularising healthy eating, we are constantly working to raise awareness of the benefits of game meat”,

says Miklós Támba, owner of Nativus.

Award-winning innovations

The company’s Sous Vide game meats are particularly popular, but their chops and steaks are also selling well. The summer season has brought a surge in demand for marinated grilled meats and burgers. The newly developed Angus beef deli salami and the sliced version of the fallow deer salami with porcini are increasingly sought-after in shops. At the Great Taste Awards 2024, the latter was awarded the highest accolade of 3 stars and the former walked away with 2 stars. In the second half of the year Nativus will unveil its new Angus beef products, including beef burgers, beef steaks and a selection of chilled products.

Consumer interest is growing – especially in the health-conscious segment

Portfolio restructuring

Gábor Ivánácz, CEO of Venison Gusto Kft. sees the market through slightly different eyes.

Gábor Ivánácz
CEO
Venison Gusto

“Unfortunately game meat consumption in Hungary isn’t even close to that in Western Europe and will continue to decline as a result of the economic situation”,

predicts the CEO.

What they see is that mid-range restaurants and shops are typically looking only for the low quality that is still considered affordable. Fortunately the Venison Gusto webshop is producing quite good numbers. They are not compromising on quality, but are trying to adapt to the difficult market situation: the company has reduced the weight and price of their products by 20%, making them more widely available. They have also narrowed their portfolio to the 15 best-selling items. This year’s new innovation is Deer Paprika Chorizo – a large number of customers are trying it.