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Complex Analysis and Introduction of the Hungarian Mineral Water Industry
65-80Views:625The mineral water sector in Hungary has been developing dynamically for four decades. The present article explores the main characteristics of the sector and highlights its specificities within the food industry. The aim of the study is to identify the main characteristics of the market, analyze the macro and micro environment, determine the economic importance of the sector, analysis of the main players and strategic options. Based on the results of the research, it can be concluded that there are approximately 500 Hungarian companies whose activities include producing soft drinks and mineral waters under the TEÁOR 1107. However, there are only 10 of these companies whose main activity is exclusively producing mineral water, which is extracted and bottled in Hungary. The macro-environment analysis shows that the political environment is stable, the economic environment is not conducive to business, and high inflation, continuously rising labor costs, and raw material costs will continue to challenge businesses. However, SME support can provide significant help in the future. Among consumer habits, the growing health and environmental awareness significantly impact the sector. Rapid developments in technological factors offer many opportunities for businesses. Based on the microenvironment analysis, the market is saturated, and Szentkirályi Magyarország Kft. and Magyarvíz Ásványvíz Kft. hold almost 80% of the total industry turnover in 2021. The threat of new entrants is, therefore, not significant. The bargaining power of buyers and the threat of substitutes is high, and the bargaining power of suppliers is low. While compiling the competitive profile matrix, industry success factors were identified, with price level, brand, and environmental responsibility standing out. The biggest challenge in the sector is to reduce the environmental impact of packaging, using recycled plastic bottles as the easiest solution.
JEL Code: M21 -
Analysis of the Health – Environment – Nutrition Nexus: A Review
3-24Views:1087The fastest improvement of the wealth and quality of life was witnessed in last decades by the humanity globally. Economic and social development, however, influenced the state and processes of the natural environment at the same time significantly. Food supply is one of the major interfaces between the society and the natural resources, as we highlight in our literature review; approximately one-third of the resource use and pollution is originated in nutritional needs. Also, health effects of western diet are remarkable. Consequently, debate on ‘healthy diet’ and ‘environmentally friendly’ food supply chain became complementary and reinforcing topics recently, at least in the scientific communication.
JEL Codes: F64, I12, O13, Q4, Q5
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Environmental Awareness of Generations and Sustainable Product Development: The Way towards a Green Future
45-57Views:411Environmental protection is one of the most significant challenges of our time, becoming increasingly urgent due to the growing population and consumption. This study examines the environmental awareness of different generations, particularly Generation Z, and highlights gender differences. The online questionnaire survey analyzed the opinions of 427 respondents living in the Northern Great Plain region, of whom 367 belonged to Generation Z (148 men, 219 women) and 57 to Generations X and Y. The study also investigated Generation Z's attitudes toward activities aimed at mitigating climate change, with comparisons across genders and generations. On a 1-to-5 Likert scale (1 = not important at all, 5 = extremely important), Generation Z ranked selective waste collection (average = 4.37), avoiding food waste (average = 4.21), and conscious energy use (average = 4.17) as the most important. Women rated environmentally conscious activities, such as using recycled paper and choosing products with less packaging, significantly higher than men (p ≤ 0.05). Comparative analysis showed that Generations X and Y considered nearly all climate protection activities more important than Generation Z (p ≤ 0.05), likely due to higher levels of knowledge about energy-saving solutions. Education and family environment play a key role in shaping environmental values. Despite generational differences, Generation Z also prioritizes waste reduction and considers climate protection aspects in their purchasing decisions. The study additionally presents the development of a sustainable soft drink that incorporates environmental considerations and offers an innovative packaging solution to minimize waste.
JEL code: Q01 -
Giving Fruit as a Gift? Possible Aspects of Fruit and Vegetable Gift Giving
21-29Views:213Giving fruit and vegetables as gifts is not a widespread custom in Hungary, while a healthy lifestyle is always considered a good buzzword. While abroad, special vegetable and fruit baskets already offer unique gift options, at home the classic books, chocolates, flowers, and the provision of services and experiences are preferred. Some special fruits are sold for millions on the market, but there are also cheaper, yet unique products. Although the gifting of fruit and vegetables has historical traditions all over the world, nowadays their sale as gifts has declined. Consumers who are environmentally and health-conscious, open to a green lifestyle, or just curious could be realistic target segments for this niche area, which could be brought to success with an appropriate marketing strategy.
JEL codes: I12, M31, Q13 -
Interrelations of Sustainable Food Consumption
3-22Views:500The past seventy years have been perhaps the fastest development phase in human history. The concept of sustainable development is the sense of responsibility towards future generations, the so-called emphasizes intergenerational solidarity by recognizing the right of future generations to meet their needs. The biggest challenge facing humanity is finding solutions to reduce the damage it causes. The key to this is changing consumption habits. We believe that a food consumption structure that has a low environmental impact, but at the same time an insufficient nutrient density, cannot be considered sustainable, as this leads to malnutrition and deficiency diseases. A sustainable food system (SFS) is a food system that ensures food security and healthy nutrition for all, in a way that does not jeopardize the economic, social and environmental foundations for future generations. Based on what has been described so far, it is clear that the environment and health are two key dimensions of a sustainable diet or sustainable food consumption. The article presents the implementation possibilities of sustainable food consumption through examples.
JEL Codes: E2, Q5 -
The Characteristics of the LOHAS Segment, the Consumer Group which is Devoted to Sustainable Consumption
3-9Views:503Sustainable consumption is a megatrend influencing consumer habits today. Our research was carried out to find out information – with the help of international and national literature – about the general and differentiating characteristics and the size of the consumer group devoted to sustainable consumption. Our aim was also to sum up the economic importance of the segment. This “new type” of consumer-buyer group is called LOHAS (Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability) by professionals. An important feature of the segment is that they consider all the three pillars of sustainable development (economic, social and ecological) in their shopping decisions. LOHAS consumers live their life health-consciously. Their devotion to sustainability is reflected in purchasing environmental-friendly, socially responsible products. Besides this, it can also be claimed about them that they are early adopters and they are able to influence the opinion of their friends and family. They are less price-sensitive, and they are characteristically brand-loyal. These characteristics make them the attractive target of a lot of marketing activities. It is hard to describe the LOHAS lifestyle only with demographic features since their devotion to sustainable consumption is determined by mostly personal values and the individual’s value order. LOHAS lifestyle has five, well defined value categories that direct the individuals’ behavior. They are authentic values, health-conscious values, ethic values, individualist values and environmental-conscious values. The LOHAS group is also characterized by such a hybrid lifestyle in which different characteristics merge with each other. The LOHAS “phenomenon” is mostly characteristic of the western world, but it is becoming widespread in the Asian region’s consumer society. In the developed countries the size of the group may reach 25%. For today the approach and value order characterizing the LOHAS consumer’s lifestyle have appeared within the Hungarian population as well. Hungarian researchers estimate the size of this group different – between 4 and 30% – depending on the values expected during segmentation. The LOHAS trend influences all the branches of economy calling companies for innovation that meets the needs of the consumers who prefer hybrid lifestyle, and for environmental and social responsibility. However, the strongest influence appears in the food industry. It is worth mentioning that some members of the tertiary sector have also realized the opportunities lying behind them. Besides the economic importance of the LOHAS consumer group, it is important to mention that their inner values and views envisage a healthier society and a cleaner and more livable environment.
