Szegedi Paprika Zrt. is committed to sustainable operations and corporate social responsibility. As a food manufacturer, our fundamental task is to actively participate in feeding the population by producing quality products.
Over the past four years, our company has taken not only its economic but also its social and environmental responsibilities seriously. We are proud to base our operations on the principles of environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Our goal is to create long-term value for both our communities and our natural environment.
Environmental Sustainability
- Reducing food waste: we have been donating ready meals and canned goods produced during manufacturing in a targeted manner for years
- Supporting local organizations: donations are primarily received by local communities and civil organizations, so the support directly helps the daily lives of those living in our local area, thereby reducing our ecological footprint (shorter transportation routes, lower environmental pollution)
- Circular approach: prioritizing local use supports the efficient utilization of resources.
- Sustainable procurement ratio: continuously increasing the proportion of local suppliers
Social Sustainability
It is important to us that our activities contribute to social well-being.
- Supporting those in need: thanks to us, numerous organizations helping children, the elderly, people with disabilities, or those in social need have received support in recent years.
- Regular, recurring donations have strengthened trust and enabled long-term, stable partnerships.
Donation Activities (2022–2025)
Between 2022 and 2025, our company participated in social support activities on several occasions, with particular focus on helping local communities, children, and the elderly.
Based on Act LXXXI of 1996 on Corporate Tax and Dividend Tax, every year we support spectator team sports in the form of tax donations in the spirit of educating for a healthy lifestyle and sports. We provide support to 4-6 sports associations.
In 2022, we adopted a wolverine at the Szeged Zoo.
In 2023, we supported the Rotary Club of Szeged Foundation.
In 2024, we supported the Power of Love Foundation and the Szent-Györgyi Rotary Club with gift products, the Szőreg Rose Ladies Order Association on the occasion of the 24th Rose Festival, and the Pumpkin Seed Cup event.
In 2025, we are donating ready meals and canned goods to students at the SZTEKOMM Kommping 2025 event. This year we are also donating canned goods to the Blood Drop for Blood Supply Foundation for their traditional Retro Blood Donation.
Key indicators (based on internal records):
- Number of beneficiaries: several hundred people (children, families, elderly) received our support annually.
- Number of supported organizations and events: between 2022 and 2025, several civil organizations, municipalities, or community initiatives received support (e.g., camps, Christmas packages, community events).
- Forms of support:
- in-kind (e.g., ready meals, gift packages, liver pâté, one-pot meals),
- periodic discounted sales to those in social need (this is not a donation, but can be interpreted as support),
- in some cases, financial contributions (e.g., event sponsorship).
Packaging: Less Material, Smaller Footprint
Through optimizing our packaging:
- in 2024, we prevented more than 105 tons of CO₂ emissions,
- we saved nearly 55,500 kg of steel use,
- every change during our collaboration with Trivium and Silgan suppliers is documented and traceable.
Circular Economy – Again and Again
- Our canned packaging is 95–99% recyclable,
- The actual recycling rate of steel packaging at EU level is 80.5%, exceeding EU targets,
- From 2025, we apply environmental pictograms on all labels.
Domestic Ingredients – Domestic Trademark
Most of our products are made from Hungarian ingredients. To certify this:
- We use the “Hungarian Product” trademark in the appropriate categories.
- Prioritizing locally sourced ingredients reduces transportation distances and supports the circular economy.
Responsible Partner Selection – Supplier Evaluation
During our procurement processes, we gradually strive to enforce sustainability considerations. To the extent possible, we prioritize:
- local suppliers: year by year, we increasingly strive to continuously increase the proportion of local suppliers
- environmentally friendly packaging solutions: our goal is to gradually increase the proportion of recycled and recyclable materials
- as well as those partners who credibly assume responsibility in ethical, environmental, or employee matters.
During our collaboration with suppliers, we monitor sustainability-related practices, and our long-term goal is their more conscious evaluation and development.
In 2025, we launched a sustainability self-assessment for suppliers. Based on the completed questionnaires, we received a generally positive picture of ethical, environmental, and employee practices among responding partners. We intend to expand this process in the coming years.
Our Sustainability Objectives
BPA-free transition by 2026 for all canned products
Continuous environmentally friendly review of secondary packaging
Renewable Energy Use: Solar Panels to Support Production
2024. we won a grant for the project titled “Expansion of Szegedi Paprika Zrt.’s production capacity and support for the application of renewable energy source technology” with project ID ELIP-2-2023-027.
Within this framework, we are implementing the installation of a 499 kVA solar power plant in 2025. With this investment, the proportion of energy purchased from power plants needed for our production is expected to decrease by 845 MWh annually, thus releasing 219.78 tons less CO2 into the environment, making our products greener. The development is in line with the European Union’s “Fit for 55” and the Hungarian Climate and Nature Protection Action Plan objectives, and contributes to the company’s long-term environmental sustainability.
Ethical Business Conduct
Szegedi Paprika Zrt. follows the provisions of the Code of Ethics in all its business relationships. This ensures fair, transparent operations, respect for the rights of employees and partners, and responsible, sustainable economic decision-making.
Our core values:
- Honesty and reliability in all business relationships.
- Transparent communication and accountability.
- Anti-corruption measures.
Working for Our Common Future
Szegedi Paprika Zrt. is committed to following the principles of sustainability in all its activities. We believe that the balance of the environment, society, and the economy can only be achieved through shared responsibility. We thank our partners, employees, and customers for building a sustainable future together with us!
Development from Within – Szegedi Paprika Zrt.’s Internal Training Program in 2025
Szegedi Paprika Zrt. considers it important to pay attention not only to the development of production processes but also to expanding the professional knowledge of its employees. In recent years, internal training sessions, occupational safety training, and trainings aimed at expanding quality management and food safety knowledge have been held on several occasions.
In 2025, the organization of in-house training took a more conscious form: we paid special attention to the onboarding of new entrants, training related to technological processes, and the transfer of experience through internal trainings.
Focus on Knowledge and Development
Targeted professional training in production, quality assurance, logistics, food industry innovation, taxation, accounting, labor law, and social security
Financial statements may only be prepared by a certified accountant registered by the Ministry of Finance. Annual professional training is mandatory every year, which we provide. Given that they are a registered advanced tax advisor with a specialized degree, we also enable this mandatory training.
As a supporting member of SALDO Zrt. and as a member of the Hungarian Association of Accounting Professionals, our employees working in this field participate in several training sessions covering accounting and taxation areas annually. We consider it important to develop internal succession, continuously expand professional knowledge, and maintain up-to-date knowledge of regulations related to the job. Currently, two employees in accounting and one employee in labor and social security administration are participating in university undergraduate (BA) programs.
We signed an agreement with the Faculty of Economics of the University of Debrecen in 2025 for a 2×12-week internship program. Our goal is to introduce young graduates to our company in this way in the future, arousing their professional interest in establishing a long-term working relationship.
- An individual development plan has been prepared for the integration training of new entrants, which supports learning and the acquisition of job-related knowledge in a structured manner.
- We are introducing an internal trainer system, the purpose of which is for experienced employees to pass on their knowledge to the younger generation for effective work performance.
Why Do We Invest Energy in Training?
Because we believe that the true strength of Szegedi Paprika Zrt. lies in its employees. Committed and development-oriented professionals guarantee that we continue to produce reliable, quality Hungarian food – for both domestic and international markets.
Learning = Shared Success
The purpose of our training is not only to expand knowledge but also to support a corporate culture where professional development appears as a value. We believe that expanding employees’ knowledge contributes to Szegedi Paprika Zrt.’s development, flexibility, and continuous renewal.
