Traditional Food Products as Part of the Horeca Model in Bulgaria

Abstract

The aim of the current study is to present the attitudes of the HoReCa sector towards traditional foods utilization. The results show a growing market demand for foods that are part of the traditional production of Bulgaria. The data show that nearly 14% of traditional food producers do not succeed while promoting their products on the domestic market. Another 6% do not pertain financing of their internal marketing policies in order to expand their production, relying on recognition among a small number of consumers. According to the obtained results, 57% of traditional food producers use local suppliers for their material provision. In the analysis, 61% of respondents consider that traditional production has a strong competitive market potential in terms of the raw materials and food entering by the foreign market.Not a small part (45%) of the producers admit that traditional foods are prepared using modern production techniques.The results show that 5% of restauranteurs are doubtful of traditional foods and 57% would include a traditional product in their menu.According to 12% of restauranteurs, traditional production would create administrative difficulties while including it in the list of products offered.Following the analysis, it could be considered that traditional food production in Bulgaria can be utilized as opening a new business planning model, guaranteeing the preservation of Bulgarian tastes and the establishment of long-term business relations.