Changing mineral water market

Over the past decade, mineral water consumption per head has grown fifteen-fold to 60 litres per year in Hungary. Last year was relatively stagnant, but growth should take off again this year, with some bottlers predicting annual consumption of 70 litres. Figures released by the market researchers AC Nielsen seem to confirm this: between August 2004 and July 2005, 650m litres were sold, 21% more than in the preceding year, with the total value of the market rising by 11%. But power relations in this HUG35bn market are changing. The multinationals that were leading up until now have been pushed on to the back foot by smaller companies. It is only a small exaggeration to say that anyone who can is bottling.

Source: HVG




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