Still a long way to go!

Per capita consumption of cheese in Hungary is still well below the EU average. The consumption of cheese had been growing in the EU till 2001, stabilising around 19 kilos. In 2004, the average consumption dropped by one kilo, with the accession of the new EU states, only reaching 19 kilos again in 2007. According to Bernadett Strasser-Kátai, managing director of Mona Hungary Kft., the main difference lies not in the quantities consumed, but in the types of cheese consumed and the width of assortments in different markets..” – The end of 2007 brought about a major increase in the price of materials – says Sándor Nagy Sándor, sales director of Szarvasi Mozzarella Kft. Fortunately, they have not been effected, as their assortment is quite specialised. Though mozarella, mascarpone and ricotta are not cheap, they offer good value for money. Óvártej Zrt. is also a producer of Italian cheese. Mrs. Kovács, sales director says that consumers focus on price rather than quality. The consumption of trappista cheese has a strong tradition in Hungary. Mona Hungary has trappista cheese in 3 kilo and 1 kilo units. Unfortunately, as all products look the same, consumers prefer the cheaper products. One of the long term objectives of Mona Hungary is to organise a seminar on cheese, with foreign experts participating. Sándor Nagy believes that an increasing number of people are open to new things and specialities. One of their recent campaigns has been a light pizza-light mozarella promotion organised with a restaurant chain. Bernadett Strasser-Kátai feels that cheese culture needs to be promoted among restaurants in order to boost demand.