Mantinga, the largest Baltic producer of bread, snacks and frozen products, is embarking on yet another phase of international expansion by officially establishing a branch in Poland. According to the company representatives, this is an important step towards strengthening its position on international markets and becoming one of the main suppliers of frozen bakery products in the neighbouring country. 

"The growing potential of the Polish market has prompted us to take a new strategic step, which we believe will help us to gain a foothold in this market and increase export volumes. Until now, we have been operating in Poland through our sales representatives, and now we want to integrate as much as possible into the country's legal and cultural environment. By setting up a branch in this country, we are sending a message to both existing and prospective partners that we operate under the same rules as they do. We aim to become one of the main suppliers of frozen bakery products on the Polish market for major supermarket chains, petrol stations, as well as for the hotel, restaurant and café sector (HORECA)," says Mantas Agentas, General Manager of Mantinga Group.

Mantinga entered the Polish market more than a decade ago. Last year, exports to this country accounted for around 8% of the company's total exports, but according to Jurata Cibulskas, head of Mantinga's newly established branch in Poland, this does not reflect the full potential of the market.

"We aim to export 10 percent of the company's total exports to Poland this year and to grow this number every year by increasing the variety of products we supply to our existing customers, by supplying more products to the HORECA sector, and by expanding our network of new partners. In the near future, we will start supplying some of our products directly from our warehouses in Poland, which will help us to serve our local customers faster and more efficiently, strengthen our competitive advantage and our position as a reliable supplier on the market," says Jurata Cibulskas.

According to her, in the future it is also planned to establish an office in Warsaw. At the same time, consideration will be given to expanding the team by bringing together professionals with a good knowledge of the local retail, petrol station, convenience store and HORECA sector.

Polish market – between tradition and innovation

According to Cibulskas, who heads the Polish branch, the Polish market is large, growing, competitive and price sensitive. Consumers value quality and locally grown and produced products, prefer familiar flavours, while at the same time being westernised and open to innovation, especially in the fast and convenient shopping segment.

Mantinga's most popular products, i.e. various croissants, French sausage rolls, garlic bread, pizza snacks, have already won the affection of Polish consumers. There are also certain 'commemorative' products, which are particularly popular with Polish buyers before certain holidays or other occasions.

"For example, we see a lot of interest in our doughnuts during the traditional 'Tłusty czwartek' (Fat Thursday) celebration in Poland. This festival, celebrated six days before Ash Wednesday, is the equivalent of our own Midsummer. According to data from the Polish Bakers' Association and market research, the average person in the country eats about 2.5 doughnuts on Fat Thursday, which could be about 100 million doughnuts in one day nationwide," says Cibulskas.

Jurata Cibulskas expects that new products will be introduced to the Polish market in the near future, developed in cooperation with well-known brands in this market. 

Mantinga is the largest Baltic producer of bread, snacks and frozen products. Mantinga's product range consists of more than 1,000 different products and is exported to more than 40 countries around the world, mainly to the Baltic and Scandinavian countries, but also to countries as far away as Japan and Korea.