The Hungarian HoReCa and retail market is experiencing a significant transformation, presenting a prime opportunity for premium regional food brands. To capitalize on this, CzechTrade Hungary organized the specialized business mission Taste of Czechia on September 17–18, 2026. The mission’s objective was highly focused to bridge the gap between 25 innovative Czech food and beverage manufacturers and key Hungarian purchasing managers, retail distributors, and hospitality partners.

A Day of Insight, Tastings, and Targeted Networking

First day of the event was in the elegant and representative spaces of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Budapest. The venue buzzed with optimism as international guests and industry professionals gathered. Rather than standard presentations, Czech exporters were equipped with dedicated spaces for direct B2B matchmaking, allowing Hungarian buyers to evaluate the quality of the products through firsthand tastings.

Beyond the Embassy: Exploring Modern Logistics

Second day of the event was held in the headquarters of Kifli.hu. The day kicked off with an exclusive guided tour of one of Europe's most advanced logistics and fulfillment centers. This behind-the-scenes look at the local e-grocery environment equipped the Czech producers with crucial insights for their future cross-border supply chains. Following the tour, the space opened up for the second round of company presentations and product tastings.

Showcasing Czech Excellence: The Delegation

The mission successfully highlighted the diversity of the Czech food sector by bringing together an impressive lineup of 28 companies, ranging from historical powerhouses to modern innovators. The delegation covered all key segments of the industry:

• Meat & Dairy: The traditional segment was strongly represented by industry giants such as Kostelecké uzeniny (the largest Czech meat producer) and Vodňanská drůbež (the largest poultry processor), alongside family-owned LE & CO – Ing. Jiří Lenc and Trnečka Smoked Fish (premium smoked fish and seafood). The dairy sector was showcased by Bohušovická mlékárna (one of the oldest dairies in the country), processed cheese manufacturer TANY.
• Breweries & Beverages: The world-renowned Czech brewing tradition was represented by premium independent brands like Rodinný pivovar BERNARD, PIVOVAR SVIJANY and Pivovar Ferdinand. The beverage lineup was completed by LEROS with their traditional herbal teas, and Balance 21 offering innovative probiotic drinks.
• Sweets, Baked Goods & Snacks: This category featured a rich mix of tradition and modern trends, including CrossCafe(premium coffee, snacks and yuzu drinks), Biopekárna Zemanka (organic biscuits), VIZARD (creators of the iconic Medovník original honey cake), Pekárny a cukrárny Klatovy, SWEET DELIGHT (premium cakes for multinational coffee chains), and the historic brand Amylon.
• Specialty Foods, HoReCa Suppliers & Supplements: The delegation proved that Czech gastronomy is highly responsive to modern consumer demands. Innovations included SANES FOOD with their TempeHu brand (organic tempeh), Skleník Mutěnice (fresh furit and veg), MyTao (medicinal mushroom products), and FerMato Sauce (natural condiments). The specialty lineup was rounded out by SUPERVEGET GROUP (seasoning blends), food supplement developer VITAR, global food company HERO CZECH, specialty importer HODNĚ DOBRÁ and distributors SILISAN, Bidfood or Front Line.

The active engagement from Hungarian buyers throughout the Taste of Czechia mission highlights a strong, genuine appetite for Czech quality and food innovation. Rather than just a showcase, the two-day event served as a direct catalyst for supply chain integration. With initial negotiations already sparked over the tasting tables, both sides are now focused on turning these fresh introductions into signed distribution agreements and expanding the presence of Czech products across Hungarian retail shelves and hospitality venues.

Prepared by the team of the CzechTrade Hungary foreign office.