pe and the Nordic countries have seen an increased awareness of health issues, leading to the adoption of healthier eating habits, also for those moments when you crave a snack.This, among other reasons, was what motivated the companies under Unica Group to develop the MyCubies® project as part of the snacks line 'Ready, Veggy, Go!' whose market performance has been "very positive, as we expected," said David Murcia, Marketing manager of Unica Group.
"This is a highly competitive product, essential within the 'Ready, Veggi, Go!' line. The launch of MyCubies® snack cucumbers has been a turning point in the development of healthy snacks. It is a product designed to have a great flavour as well as an attractive and consistent appearance," assures David Murcia.
The MyCubies® snack cucumber can be grown in greenhouses throughout the entire season, although "during the winter and summer months it becomes necessary to make use of particular growing methods to ensure a continuous quality production," he explains.
Although they still have a small market share, David affirms that the snack vegetables sector has already become an established reality in Europe and the growing demand is a testament to that.
"MyCubies® snack cucumbers have already been in the market for a few years and this campaign we are seeing increased demand levels and a growing interest from consumers in many different markets. We are also increasing our production volumes and there is still potential for further development," he continues.
Nevertheless, the development of value added products also presents additional challenges, as they are more sensitive to the effects of the current economic crisis.
"There are limitations, but we strive to minimise them and to always reach consumers with great tasting, great quality products. Undoubtedly, the current financial situation has a bigger impact on these kind of products, which is why we make every effort to optimise the production, manufacture and sale processes, so that we can market these products at competitive prices," points out David Murcia.
The sales channel for these products are supermarkets and, according to the marketing manager, "it is being really successful in express and convenience stores."
At present, its main destination markets are Germany and Austria, although MyCubies® "has also at times arrived in Scandinavia," says David Murcia. In Spain, where they are produced, the healthy snacking sector still needs to develop. "This product definitely has its place in any market, and although demand in Spain is limited for now, there is an upward trend."
The two largest cucumber consumers are the Netherlands and Germany, where the current trend with products like mini cucumbers is to offer them with spices and seasoning herbs included in the container.
"There are many opportunities for development and many possible combinations with herbs or dipping sauces which are very interesting and may even attract the attention of a large number of consumers," he concludes.
