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Complex Analysis and Introduction of the Hungarian Mineral Water Industry
65-80Views:262The 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 -
Organic Production as a Key for Sustainable Development in Wine Industry in the Czech Republic
37-46Views:64The paper describes the environment sector of organic winery in the Czech Republic and finds opportunities for Czech winegrowers to sustain the industry and contribute to its future development. Organic viticulture has changed dramatically. Organically farmed vineyards formed 4.9% share of the total area of vineyards in the Czech Republic in 2011and 6.1% in 2012. Czech organic wines have much to offer to consumers. They have received many prestigious awards at international competitions; however the foreknowledge of customers about such wines is very low as these are drunk mostly by regular consumers. That is why a change should be made. The popularity of organic wine is expected to grow mainly in the foreign markets. Although the Czech organic wines have already found their consumers, the need for additional marketing activities that will result in expansion of its portfolio of consumers, are required.
JEL codes: M1, M11, M 13, M14
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The Role of Sweet Corn Quality in a Healthy Diet
39-48Views:81The importance of sweet corn as a healthy food is constantly increasing worldwide. The research and comparative analysis of super sweet sweet corn hybrids suitable for fresh consumption and canning is of particular importance in the food industry. In our studies, we compared the carotenoid content of three supersweet sweet corn hybrids to collect data for its healthy conditions. A novel result in our tests that sweet corn contains the highest amount of lutein and contains zeaxanthin. We found that the amount of zeaxanthin and lutein is determined by its genotype. We found that carotenoids are influenced by the environmental conditions. The concentration of lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, β-carotene did not decrease with the growth of the crop, which confirms the importance of sweet corn hybrid selection for healthy nutrition. In our studies, the amount of lutein and zeaxanthin was higher than the amount of beta cryptoxanthin and beta carotene. Carotene consumption has many positive effects on the human body, it can reduce the incidence of cancer, vascular diseases, or wolf blindness resulting from a lack of vitamin A.
JEL Codes: I1, L15 -
Qualitative Investigation of Salt and Sugar Free Nutrition in the Canned Vegetable Market
71-82Views:296“Free from” products as important components of a health-conscious diet are prevalent on store shelves. Our research is based on the analysis of the market situation and introduction possibilities of a potential canned vegetable that can even satisfy the needs of consumers for salt and sugar free meals. Secondary data and information collection provided the basis for further research. In the primary research, we used three qualitative methods, which were netnographic examination, expert interview, and focus group research. In the course of netnography, we examined consumer needs for salt and sugar free canned food on the Internet, mainly on social media, based on pre-collected keywords. The interview with an expert in the canning industry focused on the specificity of canned food and the position of “free from” canned food. Focus group research was composed to learn about the perceptions of university students about both canned food and their customers alike. Among other things, we have shed light on the fact that consumers associate the expression “free from” with the word health, but emphasizing “free from” nature of the product can create a sense of lack. Examining “free from” canned food, we found that young, time constrained, health-conscious consumers can be the target group. Due to the target market, we recommend promoting it on online platforms, where it would even be advisable to use educational campaigns.
JEL Codes: M31, Q13
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Sour Cherry Seed Extract – An Emerging Functional Food
31-34Views:96Advanced analytical techniques have recently revealed powerful health-promoting properties in components of some plants, which had remained obscure until present days because they were not typically consumed as food by humans. A particularly fascinating example is the seed kernel of sour cherry (Prunus cerasus). Chemical analysis of the seed kernel revealed that the solid flavonoid-rich fraction, comprising approximately 64–68% of the kernel, contains several health-enhancing polyphenolic compunds including catechins, stillbenes, anthocyanidins and resveratrol. The remaining 32–36% is an oil fraction rich in tocopherols and related compounds, including tocotrienols, oleic acid and triglycerides. Previous studies demonstrated that oral administration of sour cherry seed extract to animals strongly stabilizes healthy tissue homeostasis and suppresses ischemia-reperfusion injury by augmenting expression of heme oxygenase-1, a major endogenous cytoprotective enzyme. The sour cherry fruit is a major export of several nations, including Hungary, however the seed is currently considered an agricultural by-product and discarded. The better understanding of health protective effects of the seed extract would open new avenues for the Hungarian agriculture and food industry in the future.