Caffè Vergnano acquires market in the super-premium coffee category and expands with a training center in Hungary

Every second Hungarian starts the morning with an espresso according to a joint survey of 2500 respondents by Coca-Cola HBC Hungary and gkid. The unbroken and growing popularity of coffee is one of the reasons why Coca-Cola HBC has broadened its portfolio with a second coffee brand, Caffè Vergnano, after Costa Coffee’s success. The company aims to give Caffè Vergnano, as a new entrant to the super-premium market, a 0.5% share of the entire Hungarian coffee market by the end of 2023, which means an increase of 200% in sales volume and 220% in sales revenue. 

At the beginning of this year Coca-Cola HBC Hungary was one of the first within the 29-member counting Coca-Cola HBC Group that started the exclusive distribution of Caffè Vergnano premium Italian coffee products, after the mother company acquired a 30% stake in the brand owner Casa del Caffè Vergnano back in October 2021. The Dream of the Vergnano family was to bring their coffee to all parts of the world and together with Coca-Cola HBC Hungary the dream came true in Hungary.

The current economic situation is, of course, posing challenges to the coffee sector. Although, according to a 2022 Nielsen data from Hungary people consume less of a given product or take a cheaper brand off the shelves in many areas, however, this is not the case with coffee. As latest data shows coffee is consumed in the same quantity, and the same brand is still chosen by consumers as before. It suggests that Hungarians stick to quality, they are smuggling some experience into everyday life with a high-quality coffee. The annual consumption of coffee in Hungary is currently estimated at about 19 thousand tons. 

Caffè Vergnano is a premium Italian coffee looking back to an impressive 140 years of history. The brand has been faithful to the Italian coffee tradition since the beginning while they also keep up with the latest coffee trends. The family business – which has been paving the way for the brand for the fourth generation now – owns the oldest coffee roasting plant in Italy where coffee beans are roasted and blended using traditional methods. Caffè Vergnano is proud of its traditions, being it the production of products or the spreading of Italian coffee culture. 

In addition to ensuring continuous high quality, the company behind Caffè Vergnano is committed to sustainable operation, paying special attention to the management of packaging waste. The brand’s coffee capsule products come in biodegradable, compostable packaging, while the packaging of 1882 coffees sold in HoReCa units is 100% recyclable and made from 100% recycled PET material. They also take great care of the women working in the coffee industry. Women in coffee is the company’s initiative aiming to support the livelihood of small women-owned coffee businesses.

Caffè Vergnano also focuses on the transfer of tradition and professional knowledge, which is why its training centers have been established. With the Accademia Vergnano network of training centers, the company strives to make the secrets and practices of quality coffee making as widely known as possible to representatives of the hospitality sector and those interested in coffee. The first Accademia Vergnano was established in Chieri, the hometown of the Vergnano family, commemorating the history of the company, which began in 1882. The design of the educational center was inspired by the family's home, emphasizing the family togetherness which is so important to Italians, the loving atmosphere, and the inspiring effect of co-creation. The Accademia Vergnano Budapest, which is officially opened now, was born with an investment of HUF 50 million and will host a total of 300 professional trainings for customers and baristas until the end of next year. 

Despite the challenges and lockdowns caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the Casa del Caffé Vergnano closed 2021 with a total turnover of EUR 92 million, which was close to the pre-covid turnover back in 2019. It is a stable, well-established company that now plays a decisive role in the Italian coffee market and has presence in 90 countries.