Recipe for life Bunge

RECIPE FOR LIFE

Bunge Zrt is a large cooking oil and – via its subsidiary – margarine producing company which produces Vénusz, one of the oldest and most well-known brands in Hungary. In the past decade the company’s strong foundation has been supported by the biggest oilseed producer in the world, enabling the Hungarian firm to focus on health conscious innovations while enlarging its agribusiness line. Edina Beale reports.

Vénusz is a renowned brand name in Hungary since Vénusz sunflower cooking oil has been on the Hungarian market since 1952. The high quality of the product led the brand to live through many generations; most young housewives used to learn recipes and family tips for cooking and baking using Vénusz oil.

Long history

The predecessor of Bunge Zrt, Cereol Rt, was established in 1992 when it acquired the oil seed processing branch of the state owned Vegetable Oil and Detergent Manufacturing company. In 2003 the global Bunge Limited acquired Cereol and the Hungarian firm has continued its operations under the name of Bunge Zrt. In 2008 Bunge

made a significant investment to improve the Martfű factory, where current processing capacity is one of the largest in Central Europe.

Vénusz sunflower cooking oil has been known by Hungarian consumers for over 60 years, but it is a well recognised brand in the neighbouring countries too. While the product has a continuously changing outlook, its decades of market experience guarantees its consistent high quality. As everything needs to change, in the past three years Venusz is renewing its business with the launch of new, innovative products. These initiatives are the answer to the consumers’ needs: they are a healthier choice or give a better frying solution.

The first of these new products to launch was the Vénusz Frying oil. Owing to its unique compounds the Vénusz Frying Oil is a perfect partner to create tasty, crunchy and golden chips and breaded products. It is a product to use with FritoptiTM oil, rich in monounsaturated omega-9; Vénusz Frying Oil combines all values of the conventional sunflower oil and the effectiveness of the FritoptiTM. 2015 was another milestone in the history of Vénusz oils. That year four edible oil products were launched on the Hungarian market.

Vénusz Omega 3&6 – as its name already suggests – contains a favourable quantity of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, thus contributing to a healthy lifestyle aimed at maintaining normal cholesterol levels. The vitamin D content of another new Vénusz product contributes to the promotion of healthy bones and teeth.

The frying oils product line was widened with the launch of a 1-litre variant. Vénusz Frying Oil 1L is suitable for deep-frying and breaded food frying. Owing to the antioxidant content the oil remains hot for longer, and therefore it it is suitable for frying up to 10 times without changing the oil.

Last but not least, Vénusz launched a product for those who’d like to spice up their muffins and cakes or make pancakes and doughnuts with a sweet-flavoured edible oil. Vénusz Butter Taste Edible Oil combines the taste and smell of butter with the well-known heatability of edible oil.

While most products are sold in 1-litre plastic bottles, in order to please gastro users Vénusz cooking and frying oil is also available in 10-litre variants.

Health-related innovations

Besides maintaining great quality, Bunge Zrt is committed to creating healthy and natural solutions to meet consumer demands. Since its launch in 1993, the Floriol brand has always emphasised the importance of a varied and balanced diet and promoted a healthy lifestyle. As its slogan ‘A recipe for life’ suggests, Floriol cooking oil is produced by a gentle manufacturing process and is based on the recommendations of the most modern food science research.

HF Press+LipidTech

An outstanding partnership is characterised by reliability and trust in quality and service. Bunge has been operating with HF machinery and oilseed processing equipment since 1980.

Currently, presses are being relocated to different Bunge locations, which emphasises the long life-cycle expectations and the most effective pressing performances of HF’s screw presses.

HF is the global market leader for screw presses (formerly known as Krupp presses, a synonym for high performance and high quality equipment), but is also considered and is acknowledged internationally as a competent technology provider in other fields of oilseed processing, for crude oil refining and animal waste processing (rendering).

HF’s business relationship with Bunge has lasted for more than 35 years now. Today, Bunge operates more than 40 HF screw presses & components at its locations worldwide.

We are looking forward to continuing this relationship and to serving our customers with high performance equipment, allowing them to get the best possible results out of their seeds.

One tablespoon of Floriol Sunflower Oil with vitamin E – a key fat soluble vitamin – could cover up to 66 per cent of the recommended daily vitamin E intake of an adult. This product is not only advised to be used for cooking and frying, but it is also excellent for making salads and dressings.

The Floriol Omega 3&6 is a mix of sunflower and rapeseed oil. It contains natural alpha-linolenic acid which – as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle – can help to maintain the normal blood cholesterol level and is therefore good for the cardiovascular system.

Floriol Mediteran is a mixture of refined sunflower cooking oil and olive oil with a delicate fruity taste. Floriol extra virgin oil is processed by mechanical tools only from first class olives, while the Floriol Olive oil is a mix of virgin and refined olive oil, which is perfectly suitable for creating Mediterranean food including meat, vegetables and salad.

Margarine processing

In 2010 Bunge Zrt acquired the factory and brands of Royal Brinkers Hungary Kft and renamed the new company Natura Margarin Kft.

Founded in 1878, margarine producer Royal Brinkers entered the Hungarian market in 1996 but only started production in the country in 2000. Today the factory, located in Tatabánya, holds all important food safety and quality assurance systems and reaches the highest European standards. At present Natura Margarin is a key supplier of private label margarine in Hungary and serves most food chain retailers. While producing low price margarine such as the Dana and Waja brands, the company has also achieved considerable success with the Vénusz and Bords Eve premium brands.

Dynamic agribusiness

In addition to its core business of food processing, Bunge Zrt in Hungary has been trading agricultural products for many decades. Products are made from quality-checked raw materials and are under constant supervision to guarantee their high quality.

In recent times the company’s agribusiness activities have seen dynamic growth. Its purchase and sale of agricultural products, including oil seeds and grain products, has increased significantly owing to the strong performance of its trade centres and direct selling. Partners include end users and producers as well as trading partners. Besides trading activities, Bunge Zrt offers support in all segments of the supply chain including logistics and storage.

From the above, it is clear that Bunge Zrt has it all: strong foundations, famous brands and financial support from its international parent company. However, the company’s drive to satisfy consumer demands in quality and innovation is in fact the real recipe for continuing its success for life. n