Survey: Slovak Consumers Prefer Domestic Food

Bratislava, July 26 (TASR) – Almost 60 percent of consumers consider Slovak foodstuffs to be of better quality than imported food, citing freshness and more stringent checks as among the main reasons, according to a survey whose results were presented by Michal Feik of the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry press department on Wednesday.

Despite this, Slovak products make up only some 37 percent of what is on offer in Slovak supermarkets, stated Feik.

“Slovak foodstuffs are fully monitored, literally from the farm to the supermarket shelves. Thanks to the fact that the food doesn’t have to travel hundreds of kilometres, it keeps its freshness,” said Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Gabriela Matecna (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee).

According to the poll conducted for the Agriculture Ministry by the AKO agency, as many as 59 percent of the respondents consider Slovak food to be of better quality than food from abroad.

Regarding individual foodstuffs, the Slovak origin is important for consumers especially when it comes to meat (59 percent), dairy products (50 percent), milk (34 percent), eggs (30 percent) and poultry (less then 22 percent).

Only 6 percent of the respondents stated that the Slovak origin of food plays no role at all for them.

“The long-term goal of the Agriculture Ministry is to increase the share of Slovak food on the shelves of the stores. The reasons are fully rational – we’re supporting our economy, employment in the regions and notably we’re able to offer consumers high quality and freshness,” said Feik, adding that the ministry is also carrying out several projects to meet its objective, such as the so-called ‘Znacka kvality SK’ (Quality Brand) initiative.