Differences of Eastern and Western eating habits
 

While in Western Europe eating reflects the lifestyle of the person as well, this can hardly be said about Central and Eastern Europe as in this region satisfying basic needs is still the main drive. Among others these are the conclusions of dr. Kerstin Ullrich, Director of German market research company GIM argo, on the comparison of Eastern and Western eating and food purchasing habits. The research was commissioned by the Austrian Chamber of Trade and the German reasearcher summarised her findings to purchasers of our region at the organisation's conference in Vienna.

She found that the most important characteristic of the CEE region's consumption is the difference in financial statuses: Different efficiency of national economies is highly related to purchase power of consumers.
Significant differences can be found in comparison of different countries as well. Within the countries finances are unevenly distributed: on the one hand there is a thin layer of rich people and, on the other hand, the wide majority of people with smaller income.
She added that due to lower level of well-being Western consuming standards have not significantly appeared in Eastern countries. Personalised added value of food products can improve in new EU-members and those waiting for accession. So far, however, this does not play an important role.

Eventually, dr. Kerstin Ullrich stated: In developed Western European countries most of the financially satisfied consumers see eating habits as a way of self-realisation. On the other hand in Eastern countries there is greater potential in eating trends that are related to the most important needs of the lifestyle. So far there is missing time, money, needs and mentality for eating-drinking to become a part of self-realisation. This slow process will only start with increasing wealth.