Auchan Retail Hungary, which has 24 stores in the country, has been open to marketing domestic products for the past ten years. While food was previously purchased from distributors (more than 60 percent), now more than 80 percent of foods are purchased directly from the producers. At a forum organized by the National Chamber of Agricultural Economics, members of the Chamber of Vegetable and Fruit Producers had the chance to meet with the specialists of the supermarket chain looking for additional suppliers and partners. It has been said that not only producers, but also customers and consumers can benefit from the advantages of a short supply chain.
Dominique Ducoux, CEO of Auchan Retali Hungary, said that “at Auchan, we are proud to be cooperating with the domestic agricultural sector. With this, not only do we facilitate the existence of a balanced market ecosystem locally, but also adapt flexibly to the changing needs of our customers."
"Hungarian producers are able to produce high quality vegetables and fruits that meet the most demanding standards," said Béla Mártonffy, Chairman of the National Horticulture and Supply Industry Division of the National Chamber of Agriculture.
Auchan has also had positive experiences with so-called cultivation relationships, when they pre-order produce with some given parameters, or even some specific varieties. With these agreements, a steady quality is expected, which results in predictability and a more stable market. It is important to have good quality goods from a audited source, and to get products to the customers as soon as possible.
