The production of products in glass containers is growing in Belarus. But a lot depends on the consumer

The production and prospects of selling domestic products in retail glass packaging, the expansion of its assortment were discussed on July 21 at a press conference in the House of Press, the correspondent of the Minsk-Novosti agency reports.

The transition to ecological glass containers is a growing global trend, to which Belarusian manufacturers are also actively joining. Deputy Head of the Department of Industry, Quality and Standardization of Belcoopsoyuz Tatyana Kosyakova noted:

- The buyer's view of glass containers as the highest quality packaging is not unfounded: glass does not affect the composition of the product, it has the best indicators of preservation of taste characteristics, because it is an inert material. The ability to see the contents of a glass jar or bottle is one of the main arguments pushing the manufacturer to pack products in glass packaging. Other advantages of glass over other types of packaging are environmental friendliness, tightness, hygiene and external characteristics. Taking into account the current trends in society, it is these qualities that will contribute to an increase in the specific gravity of glass packaging, and food manufacturers are left to follow the values and interests of the buyer, offering packaging that meets modern requirements.

Manufacturers of canned products, which are part of Belcoopsoyuz, traditionally use a wide arsenal of glass containers. All juice products produced by cooperators are bottled in glass packaging. The line of canned food "The First Lunch Dish": cabbage soup, borscht, pickles, hodgepodge, - as well as canned meat and premium products from wild mushrooms and berries (preserves and jams) from cooperators are also exclusively in glass. The share of glass packaging in the total volume of canned food production in consumer cooperation today is about 80%. And there are tendencies for further growth.

Last year, the Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade obliged trade organizations to have permanent availability on the counter of drinking and mineral water in glass packaging - it should be in every store. At the same time, much, if not everything in this matter depends on the consumer and his consciousness.

“The buyer is slowly beginning to give preference to glass,” stated Olga Kuntsova, head of the trade department of Belcoopsoyuz. - But there are moments, for example, the weight of the container: glass is heavier - everyone thinks before buying. Plus, the rise in the cost of logistics affects. As a result, the turnover of products in glass is much slower. At the same time, this is a significant area, and we must follow this path. This means that we need to popularize this type of packaging in order to raise consumer awareness and shape his choice towards health and environmental friendliness.

Despite the objective difficulties, the volume of production of products in glass packaging is growing impressively. In particular, according to Inessa Minova, head of the excisable goods department of the Belarusian State Food Industry Concern Belgospischeprom, during the period of implementation of the plan of measures approved by the government to increase production and bottling of products in retail glass packaging, beer production in a glass bottle increased by 10%, water - 10.5 times. For two years, Krynitsa JSC has increased the volume of bottling kvass "Starazhytny Yvyatochny" and "Starazytny Bochkavy" in a glass bottle by 40 times. And the Minsk Margarine Plant this year increased the production of Provencal Premium mayonnaise in a glass jar by 17 times. The enterprise intends only to increase the production volumes of viscous products in glass containers.

- Production volumes depend on the demand in the consumer market, - I. Minova summed up. - We, as manufacturers, follow the trends and are ready to offer the buyer the products he needs.

As for glass for the production of bottles and cans, there is enough of it. The level of collection of glass containers in our country, says Gadad Galimov, Deputy General Director of OJSC Belresursy, is about 80%. This level of our neighbor Lithuania, according to the specialist, was achieved only with the introduction of a deposit (pledge) system. And if such a system works in our country, it will be great.

Source: https://minsknews.by/