Unilever eyes off tasty soup market

"In 2005 this segment increased in Poland by almost 60%. In 2006 its dynamics is also very high," said Jarek Malinowski, Unilever Polska management board member. "Two-digit growth is also expected in the following years." The company has opened a plant in Poznan worth in excess of zl.100 million to produce soups which will mostly be exported to countries such as France and the Netherlands. However, the company says it will also gradually develop its presence in the Polish market. Apart from the plant in Poznan, whose production capacity may be expanded shortly, the company will also set up an R&D center in Poznan specializing in ready soups. "Investments related to the center will stand at EUR 5 million. It will employ over 70 specialists," said Malinowski. (Puls Biznesu, p. 1, 9) M.M.