The first shop specialising in Hungarian foods has opened in Moscow under the name Paprika; according to plans, a chain of 10-15 shops will be established in Russia, announced Minister for Rural Development Sándor Fazekas at the shop's opening ceremony.

Similar shops, which will have a uniform image and design, will be opened by Hungarian-Russian joint venture Paprika Ltd. in every Russian city with over one million inhabitants, he added. In addition to stocking premium quality Hungarian food products such as salamis, meat products, wines, pálinkas, chocolates and beers, the first shop, with floor space of roughly two hundred square metres, will also feature a snack bar that serves traditional Hungarian foods.

Mr. Fazekas stressed that supporting food exports to Russia constitutes an important feature of Hungarian agricultural policy. Exports to Russia have been increasing by 20-25% each year since 2010, with similar growth in the last quarter. It is this dynamic growth that is enabling more and more Hungarian goods and high quality, handmade food products to reach the Russian market, and shops that offer premium quality Hungarian goods are being established.

There is demand for Hungarian products in Russia, where Hungarian foods are highly recognised and Hungarian wines, champagnes and meat products are especially sought after, the Minister said.

Summarising his meeting with Russian Deputy Minister of Agriculture Ilya Shestakov, Minister Fazekas said that one hundred Hungarian companies currently have the right to import to the Russian market. According to plans, a further fifty enterprises will also be involved in the near future to increase Hungarian food exports, he added.

Sándor Fazekas pointed out that the National Agriculture and Food Industry Exhibition (OMÉK) to be held in Budapest this autumn, and at which Russia will be a top partner, will also serve to reinforce Hungarian-Russian agrarian relations.

(Ministry of Rural Development)