As a healthy lifestyle becomes more and more popular all over the world and in Lithuania, traders admit that they hear more often questions about the origin and ecological nature of food products. Lithuanian tastes are also shaped by global gourmet food trends, and in order to purchase exceptional products, they look for a place where they can first taste and try new flavors.
More questions about origin
Saulius Gabertas, manager of the frozen fish and seafood products company "Euribija", notices that Lithuanians are increasingly looking for organic food.
"Most of our customers are increasingly asking questions about quality, ecology, our certified suppliers," says S. Gabertas, who supplies the Lithuanian market with products from Iceland, New Zealand, England, JAV, Chile, Australia and Japan.
According to him, Lithuanians increasingly choose not only healthy, but also gourmet food products. According to the company's manager, demand for Icelandic shrimp and scallops and trade in Spanish Bellota pork have grown significantly over the past year.
"The product is very well known to world gourmets. These Spanish pigs are special because they graze freely in the oak forests of Spain from 18 to 24 months. They feed on grass, mushrooms, beetles, herbs - everything that can be found in nature. When March comes, the acorn fall season begins, then the pigs feed only on acorns. This gives the meat an unforgettable nutty aftertaste. They say this - once you've tasted it, you won't want to go back to other pork," S. Gaberts smiled.
He is seconded by Vaidotas Burbulis, who supplies the Lithuanian market with wines, cheeses, cured meat products, rice, sauces, and canned vegetables.
"Italy and Spain have long traditions of producing good food. The food and wine of these countries are popular all over the world, it would be strange if it were different in Lithuania", says Vaidotas Burbulis, head of the Italian export agency "Strive".
V. Burbulis also admits that we have to hear questions more and more often: are the products grown and made on organic farms. This shows that Lithuanians are increasingly taking care of their well-being and choosing quality food products.
Without a strategy - nor from the place
S. Gabert observes that in order to tame buyers and introduce niche products to the Lithuanian market, good production alone is not enough, it is also important to have a strategy.
"The main strategy is to inform people about these niche products, to emphasize the importance of their quality. Perhaps the most difficult thing is to convince a person that it is worth paying more for high-quality products", explains S. Gabert, who will appear at the tastiest event of the year, the Baltic Food and Beverage Exhibition (BAF), in November.
He is convinced that the best advertising for the company is the feedback and recommendations of customers who have tasted the product, as well as social networks.
"Good word of mouth has enormous value. Social networks are of great benefit. With their help and recommendations, we reach the largest number of customers. It is true that lately most of the customers are not found by us, but by them. Customers emphasize that there is a special lack of high-quality, organic products in Lithuania: both fish and meat", explains S. Gabertas.
Italians fell in love with Lithuanians
Ieva Gaižutytė, president of the Italian-Lithuanian Chamber of Commerce, notes that the import of Italian food products and beverages in Lithuania is growing, and Italian producers have already managed to appreciate Lithuanians.
"Import of Italian food products and beverages in Lithuania, compared to the first quarter of the year, II 2017 increased by 17 percent in the quarter. We notice that some manufacturers continue to present their products directly at fairs or through their distributors in Lithuania for several years in a row, which shows that Italian manufacturers really value the Lithuanian market," says I. Gaižutytė.
The president of the Italian Chamber also claims that Lithuanians pay more and more attention to food quality, healthy and fresh products.
"It is for this reason that the popularity of Italian food products in Lithuania is growing more and more. Taking into account the trends, organic products from Sicily, such as sauces, savory spreads, fresh and canned vegetables, will be presented at the Italian stand at the BAF food and beverage exhibition this year," says I. Gaižutytė.
Even more attention to food
Food experts and gourmets count many reasons why November 9-11. it is worth visiting the exhibition and congress center "Litexpo" at the BAF exhibition.
"Here you will be able to discover new and unexpected flavors, taste blue wine, taste products from meat to the most unexpected desserts from exotic lands. Traditionally, this exhibition is a place where friendship is established between producers, sellers and consumers, because there is no better way to fall in love with food than by tasting it and listening to stories", Lilijana Dirsienė, the project manager of the exhibition, is convinced.
At the BAF exhibition, it will be possible not only to taste food, but also to see how it is prepared by the most professional chefs, get new ideas and get advice. Also, the best packaging designers will be honored at the National Packaging Awards, and the future of the packaging sector and emerging challenges will be discussed at the business conference.
