Bread is the most frequently consumed bakery product in many countries and it is mainly produced using wheat flour, with daily intake reaching even 300 g per capita. Since bread is mostly produced using wheat flour, its nutritional and functional improvements can be the basis for upgrading the health status of the population with the preference to new special types of bread.
The possibility for improving the functional profile of white wheat bread is the use of nutritionally and functionally rich ingredients. These ingredients are, for example, pseudocereal flours (Alvarez-Jubete et al., 2009; Alvarez-Jubete et al., 2010) among which buckwheat flour dominates (Sakač et al., 2012; Sedej, 2011; Sedej et al., 2010; Sedej et al., 2011).
Although white buckwheat flour is more frequently used compared to wholegrain buckwheat flour, the latter represents a better source of dietary fibers, polyphenols and tocopherols (Lin et al., 2009; Sedej et al., 2010). The production of wholegrain buckwheat flour is favored by the fact that it results in minimal amounts of milling by-products, and, therefore, it contributes to better utilization of milling raw material.
Having in mind the above-mentioned facts, as well as the lack of statistically significant differences in rheological parameters of the dough containing 10-50% of white or whole-grain buckwheat flour instead of white wheat flour (Sedej et al., 2011), Stokić et al. (2015) formulated and characterized a special type of bread made by a modification of the standard white bread formulation containing wheat flour T-500 in which 50% of wheat flour was substituted by wholegrain buckwheat flour (buckwheat-enriched wheat bread).
Functionality of buckwheat-enriched wheat bread was achieved by the presence of dietary fibers and polyphenols originating from wholegrain buckwheat flour (Alvarez-Jubete et al., 2009; Sedej et al., 2011; Zieliński et al., 2009). Rutin and quercetin represent the dominant flavonoids in buckwheat flour (Kreft et al., 1999; Park et al., 2000), which significantly contribute to the functionality of buckwheat-enriched wheat bread. They were not detected in white wheat bread made from wheat flour T-500 because of their absence in white flour (Adom and Liu, 2002). The presence of these flavonoids in buckwheat-enriched wheat bread resulted in its significantly increased antioxidant capacity determined measuring the scavenging activity on DPPH radicals compared with white wheat bread. The increase in antioxidant capacity of buckwheat-enriched wheat bread as a result of the presence of flavonoids was also observed by other researchers (Lin et al., 2009; Vogrinčić et al., 2010).
Although the possibility of successful placement of buckwheat-enriched wheat bread on the market can be primarily related to its functional and health benefits (Stokić et al., 2015), as well as exceptional sensory profile, which gave additional advantage in terms of sensory acceptability compared with white wheat bread (Jambrec et al., 2014), it was necessary to assess its market position by developing marketing and production plans, which were recognized and defined as a topic of the current paper.
Two types of bread (white wheat bread and buckwheat-enriched wheat bread) with the nutritional and functional properties presented in Table 1 (Stokić et al., 2015) were used to analyze the position of buckwheat-enriched wheat bread on the national market.
Quality parameter |
White wheat bread |
Buckwheat-enriched wheat bread |
Moisture (%) |
33.6 ± 0.01a |
34.6 ± 0.04b |
Crumb moisture (%) |
35.9 ± 0.03a |
40.8 ± 0.02b |
Mineral matters (%. d.m.) |
1.93 ± 0.02a |
3.34 ± 0.05b |
Crude protein (%. d.m.) |
13.7 ± 0.11a |
14.0 ± 0.09b |
Fat (%. d.m.) |
2.92 ± 0.03a |
3.32 ± 0.05b |
Starch (%. d.m.) |
73.4± 0.18b |
66.2± 0.04a |
Reducing sugars (%. d.m.) |
4.77 ± 0.08b |
1.36 ± 0.03a |
Acidity |
1.54 ± 0.01a |
1.65 ± 0.01b |
Total dietary fibre (%. d.m.) |
2.59 ± 0.07a |
5.76 ± 0.06b |
Total phenolic content (mg GAE/100 g d.m.) |
33.3 ± 2.86a |
143 ± 7.68b |
Rutin (mg/100 g d.m.) |
n.d. |
6.31 ± 0.24 |
Quercetin (mg/100 g d.m.) |
n.d. |
1.32 ± 0.18 |
DPPH radical scavenging activity, IC50 (mg/mL) |
25.2 ± 0.172b |
3.23 ± 0.10a |
Values are means of three determinations ± standard deviation (n = 3).
Values in the same column with the same superscript are not statistically different (p<0.05).
GAE – gallic acid equivalent
d.m. – dry matter
Analysis of the market position of buckwheat-enriched wheat bread was performed by defining demands, offer and competition.
Overall retail price of buckwheat-enriched wheat bread was calculated using the prices of all ingredients for its production, which were taken for the time period of 2013, as well as other costs concerning its production, packaging, gross profits, taxes, transportation, accumulation and margin.
SWOT analysis was done according to Houben et al. (1999) and Hill and Westbrook (1997) while marketing plan was prepared accordign to Vasiljev (2010) and Chernev (2014).
Demand
Annual consumption of bread in Serbia is about 109 kg per capita, which is considerably higher than the consumption of the European consumers (30-40 kg per capita) (Živković et al., 2007). Regarding the high prevalence of cereal-based products, especially bread (300 grams per day per capita) in our diet, it can be considered as one of the main sources of nutrients.
Cardiovascular disease, often caused by disorders of lipid metabolism, is the most frequent disease among Serbian population, with prevalence of about 20-28% (Petrović-Oggiano et al., 2010). It is estimated that this part of population anually consumes around 190.000 t of bread.
Concerning the proven anti-atherogenic effect of buckwheat-enriched wheat bread (Stokić et al., 2015), this product can be beneficial for consumers with the aforementioned disorders of lipid metabolism. Based on the available data, and also taking into account the consumers who regularly use special types of bread, it is assumed that the annual production of buckwheat-enriched wheat bread in Serbia could reach a level of about 200.000 tones.
Offer
Buckwheat-enriched wheat bread belongs to the group of special types of bread, which represents 10-20% of the total production of bread in Serbia. Annual production of bread in Serbia is estimated at about 766.500 t, while annual production of special types of bread is about 75.000 to 150.000 t, with inreasing tendency.
In bakeries, supermarket chains and megastores in Serbia there are 20 special types of bread, available in packed or unpacked form. Among the breads containing buckwheat flour, most of them are produced using white buckwheat flour at the level of 20%, which is significantly lower amount in comparison to bread analyzed in this study, which contains 50% of wholegrain buckwheat flour.
Competition
The advantage of buckwheat-enriched wheat bread results from the fact that it contains 50% of wholegrain buckwheat flour, which is higher amount than those contained in other bread formulations containing buckwheat flour available on the market. In addition, nutritional and functional properties of wholegrain buckwheat flour contribute to the overall quality of buckwheat-enriched wheat bread (Lin et al., 2009).
Buckwheat-enriched wheat bread is the result of research work of the multidisciplinary team. Therefore, this product is characterized not only in terms of nutritional value, but its positive effect on human health was also proven (Stokić et al., 2015), making this product better in comparison to the similar products available on the market.
Competitiveness of buckwheat-enriched wheat bread on the national market results from its calculated retail price of 71.76 RSD, since the prices of the existing similar products are in the range 60–160 RSD. Price of all ingredients used in the formulation of buckwheat-enriched wheat bread are given in Table 2.
Ingredient
|
Price (RSD)* |
Wholegrain buckwheat flour (hydrothermally treated) |
254.30 per 1 kg |
Wheat flour T-500 |
40.90 per 1 kg |
Yeast |
70.60 per 500 g |
Salt |
27.80 per 1 kg |
Vegetable fat |
255.00 per 1 kg |
Wheat gluten |
351.60 per 1 kg |
Bread dough improver |
450.00 per 1 kg |
Water |
0.084 per L |
*The prices were taken for the time period of 2013.
Ingredient |
Ingredient proportion (%) |
The amount of ingredient per loaf (g) |
Ingredient price per loaf (RSD) |
Wholegrain buckwheat flour (hydrothermally treated) |
50.0 |
129.5 |
32.93 |
Wheat flour T-500 |
50.0 |
129.5 |
5.30 |
Yeast |
3.0 |
7.77 |
1.10 |
Salt |
2.0 |
5.18 |
0.14 |
Vegetable fat |
2.0 |
5.18 |
1.32 |
Wheat gluten |
2.0 |
5.18 |
1.82 |
Bread dough improver |
0.4 |
1.04 |
0.47 |
Water |
Up to optimal consistence |
160.58 |
0.01 |
Total: 43.09 RSD
Buckwheat-enriched wheat bread is planned to be distributed in the form of 400 g loaves. Therefore, the values given in Table 3 provide the data necessary for calculation of the total cost of ingredients per one loaf, while all elements that affect the final retail price of buckwheat-enriched wheat bread are given in Table 4.
Total price of ingredients as well as overall retail price of white wheat bread are given inTable 5 and Table 6, respectively. This bread is used in order to compare prices of new product – buckwheat-enriched wheat bread and the most commonly used commercially available product.
SWOT analysis of the buckwheat-enriched wheat bread establish the basic advantages and opportunities, as positive factors, and basic weaknesses and threats, as negative factors, are presented in Table 7.
Costs |
Price (RSD) |
Ingredients |
43.09 |
Production costs |
3.20 |
Packaging |
6.75 |
Gross profits |
6.25 |
Taxes |
0.12 |
Transportation |
2.50 |
Accumulation |
0.85 |
Producer price |
63.76 |
Margin |
8.00 |
Retail price |
71.76 |
Ingredient |
Ingredient proportion (%) |
The amount of ingredient per loaf (g) |
Ingredient price per loaf (RSD) |
Wheat flour T-500 |
100.0 |
270.00 |
11.04 |
Yeast |
3.0 |
8.10 |
1.14 |
Salt |
2.0 |
5.40 |
0.15 |
Vegetable fat |
2.0 |
5.40 |
1.38 |
Wheat gluten |
2.0 |
5.40 |
1.90 |
Bread dough improver |
0.4 |
1.08 |
0.49 |
Water |
Up to optimal consistence |
148.05 |
0.01 |
Total: 16.11 RSD
Costs |
Price (RSD) |
|
Ingredients |
16.11 |
|
Production costs |
3.17 |
|
Gross profits |
6.25 |
|
Taxes |
0.12 |
|
Transportation costs |
2.50 |
|
Accumulation |
0.85 |
|
Producer price |
29.00 |
|
Margin |
4.40 |
|
Retail price |
33.40 |
S – Strengths: |
W – Weaknesses: |
• There is a clear strategic vision for marketing and sales of buckwheat-enriched wheat bread. • The buckwheat-enriched wheat bread is characterized by higher nutritional and functional quality compared to similar types of bread available on the market. • The price of buckwheat-enriched wheat bread is competitive with the price of other special types of bread on the market. • The buckwheat-enriched wheat bread is produced using valuable ingredient (wholegrein buckwheat flour). • Evidence of the antihyperlipidemic effect was obtained in the dietetic intervention study with statin treated patients. • Consumers have rated the buckwheat-enriched wheat bread as a bread of choice when compared to white wheat bread. • The buckwheat-enriched wheat bread is packed in attractive packaging made from bio-materials derived from renewable sources. • There are producers with appropriate production facilities, capacity and storage space that could introduce buckwheat-enriched wheat bread in their production. |
• There is no legal framework for functional foods, which would enable the positioning of the buckwheat-enriched wheat bread compared to other special types of bread, for which there is no evidence of functionality. • Bakery chains, supermarkets and megastores which have appropriate production facilities may not recognize the potential of buckwheat-enriched wheat bread positioning. |
O – Opportunities: |
T – Threats: |
• The market for functional food has been increasing. • Possible placement of the patent for the production of buckwheat-enriched wheat bread on the European market. • Production of the buckwheat-enriched wheat bread is classified as very economically attarctive. • The emergence of new potential groups of consumers who eat "healthy food". |
• The weakened consumer purchasing power. • Continuing economic recession in 2015. • Consumers in some regions are skeptical about functional foods. • The increase in competitive pressure, given that the market of functional food is constantly increasing. • The risk of manufacturing adulterated substitutes. |
Marketing plan focuses on consumers and satisfaction of their needs and requirements regarding the placement of buckwheat-enriched wheat bread. In this regard, it is necessary to plan activities to acquire new consumers and retain consumers who already have a tendency towards consumption of special types of bread.
Тarget market
The target group of consumers of buckwheat-enriched wheat bread involves people with hyperlipidemia due to the proven facts about its beneficial effect on their health status. Furthermore, consumers who care about their healthy eating habits and like characteristic taste and flavor of buckwheat also belong to the target group of
consumers. Production and marketing of buckwheat-enriched wheat bread would take place in bakery chains, supermarkets and megastores, which possess appropriate production facilities.
Market size depends on the total consumer demands for functional foods, i.e. special types of bread. As functional food market increases in size, there is a possibility of placing the production of buckwheat-enriched wheat bread on the worldwide market.
Market supply
Wholegrain buckwheat flour is available on the national market. Purchasing of other ingredients for bread production is established practice of the producers. Packaging of the buckwheat-enriched wheat bread consists of paper and cellophane, which are available on the market at affordable prices.
Product marketing mix
Marketing mix is used to make important decisions that lead to the execution of a marketing plan. The marketing mix is a crucial business tool used in marketing and by marketers. It is crucial when determining a product or brand's offer, in order to meet consumer needs and requirements (Kotler and Amstrong, 1996; Vasiljev, 2010). The 4Ps make up a typical marketing mix - Product, Price, Place and Promotion.
The marketing mix of buckwheat-enriched wheat bread comprises the following:
Plan of production
Production of buckwheat-enriched wheat bread does not need any additional investment in the equipment, because existing equipment is adequate for its production. The only change in the technological process of buckwheat-enriched wheat bread production is an additional step, i.e. hydro-thermal treatment of wholegrain buckwheat flour (Stokić et al., 2015).
The production capacity of buckwheat-enriched wheat bread depends on the existing capacity of the bakery which would bring this bread into its production program.
Based on the analysis of the market position of buckwheat-enriched wheat bread including demands, offer and competition, elements that affect its overall retail price, SWOT analysis and marketing plan with target market, market supply and product marketing mix, it could be concluded that this product should be positioned on the national market, especially for people with special needs and requirements. Production plan does not need to be changed concerning investments, while only one step needs to be added in the technological procedure.
This paper is a result of the research within the project TR31029, entitled Functional bakery products for the people with metabolic disorders, financed by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Republic of Serbia. Authors wish to thank Mrs Radmila Lukić and Miss Nina Nedeljković for suggestions regarding the calculations of bread costs and SWOT analysis.