Russia gears up for niche drinkers
Eastern European region. Among the highlights from the Mintel
databases are two niche alcoholic beverage launches in Russia.
Poland is always a good market to launch a confectionery product as the sweet toothed Poles have some of the highest consumption rates in the region. And it seems like it is never to early to make a move for Christmas, as leading confectioner Mirana readies a number of new chocolate lines aimed at the festive market.
The company's new additions include Gianduja, a selection of individually wrapped chocolate pralines, available in both an 80g heart-shaped box, and a 200g box. On top of that comes the Ptasie Mileczko brand, a chocolate pralines which comes with a flavoured fillings in 500g boxes.
The Galaretka brand has also been extended with three new additions, including cherry, lemon and orange fillings. A BananaSplit variety rounds the gift box selection off, featuring banana shaped chocolates, with a natural banana mousse filling. This product range was on display at the recent ISM trade show in Cologne, Germany, 1-4 February 2004.
Meanwhile there are a couple of alcoholic beverage launches in Russia, both aimed at the rapidly growing niche markets. The first comes from Megapack, which this month launched its Grapefruit gin, packaged in a distinctive blue PET bottle. Priced at €0.65 for a 50ml bottle, the flavoured alcoholic beverage has an alcohol content of 8.8 per cent and is also available in a cranberry flavour, packaged in a 330ml can.
The other niche alcholic beverage launch in Russia is a seasonal beer from Beha Vienna. Marketed under the Nevskoe brand it is packaged in a 500ml aluminium can and will retail for €0.50. With a 3.2 per cent alcoholic content, this niche alcoholic beverage is aimed at the more health-conscious beer drinker, due to its low calorie content.
In the Czech Republic, Extrudo is launching its Knupsi Syrovi Crisp Bread. Available in 150g boxes and priced at €0.53, the product is aimed at the health food and snacks sector. It consists of wheat, rye flour, potato and cheese and has low fat and high fibre content.
Finally from Kraft foods in Hungary comes the launch of the Sport Szelet Chocolate Bar. This is a winter edition white chocolate bar which will be added to an existing product range. Aimed at the youth and sports markets, the bar is priced at €0.29 for a 60g bar, and packaged in a flexible plastic wrapper. The product features a high carbohydrate content which positions it in the high energy snack niche.
This range of finished food and drink products is part of a selection from Mintel's Global New Products Database.
