SLOVAKIA: Share of local food decreasing, according to local study | Progresiv

Only 40 per cent of all food products bought by Slovak customers is produced locally, a recent survey has found. The share of local food on the shelves of Slovak stores has fallen to 40 per cent, a three per cent decrease compared to last year, according to the survey of the Food Chamber of Slovakia (PKS), elaborated in cooperation with GfK Slovakia. The survey was conducted between 18 March and 2 April on a sample of 360 stores in the Slovak Republic.

Last year, a similar study conducted by the same agency suggested that the share of domestic products was gradually increasing.

"This survey has given us objective information on what the offering of Slovak food looks like on the shelves of selected retail chains. We would be very pleased if traders had the same approach to promoting domestic production as in other EU member states," said PKS president Daniel Poturnay.

According to the survey, discounters Lidl and Kaufland offer the least domestic foods. On the other hand, the local COOP Jednota is the market leader in selling Slovak food.

Compared with the previous year, the share of private label foodstuff did not change, and remains at 19 per cent. Private labels have the highest representation in milk, canned products and meat products. The lowest rates are represented in the categories of wine, beer, and spirits. In Slovakia, Lidl carries the highest percentage of private label products, 48 per cent. (www.esmmagazine.com)