Wiesbauer defies the crisis: quality instead of price dumping in the sausage industry!

Wiesbauer defies the crisis: quality instead of price dumping in the sausage industry!

Wien, Österreich - Thomas Schmiedbauer, Managing Director of the Viennese sausage producer Wiesbauer, faces major hurdles in view of the current challenges in the meat and sausage industry. The economic situation is difficult, especially due to increasing maintenance and wages. The annual maintenance costs now amount to around six million euros, which represents a noticeable increase compared to the earlier two to three million euros. In addition, wages have increased by over 20 percent in the past three years, and further increases are expected. Despite these adverse circumstances, Wiesbauer has not made any general price adjustments since April 2021, which proves to be challenging in view of the continuing inflation and the pricing practices of large retail chains.

particularly traditional companies such as Wiesbauer come under pressure, not on the basis of their own mistakes, but because of a system that is characterized by low prices and at the same time high demands on sustainability and quality. Schmiedbauer confirms that the prices for beef are so high that many competitors do without their use in their recipes. Over the years, the Wiesbauer brand has developed a valuable reputation, with the company relying on product quality and strategic partnerships, for example with highland milk and Wojnar’s to introduce new products.

global developments in the meat market

The challenge in the domestic market is contrasting to global developments on the meat market. According to Messe frankfurt, the global meat trade has increased by 4.7 percent to 42.5 million tons last year. This is primarily due to the falling inflation and the stronger purchasing power of consumers in industrialized countries. Meat production has changed in an international comparison, with poultry meat being the main source of the increase, while the production of beef and sheep meat has also increased slightly.

The rising prices for different types of meat are unmistakable. The sheep meat prices rose by 9.1 percent, beef prices by 6.7 percent, while pork production remained stable due to weak demand in China. The leading countries in poultry production, including China, Brazil and the USA, have diversified their exports, while US imports have increased significantly.

sustainability and challenges in animal husbandry

Another important topic in connection with meat production is sustainability. The intensive livestock farming causes high surface and water consumption and represents a burden on soils and water, which according to Destatis contributes to tightening the climate change. Due to the growing world population and changing eating habits in emerging countries, animal husbandry is increasing worldwide

Meat consumption per capita has increased by around 3 kg in the past ten years. Around 2022, global annual meat consumption was 44.5 kg per capita. In Germany, consumption was even 71.4 kg. These numbers not only illustrate great demand, but also raise questions about the responsibility of the industry. The discussion about alternatives to factory farming is increasing, although there are no comprehensive data so far.

Wiesbauer has decided not to give in to the trend towards vegan and vegetarian products, since Schmiedbauer finds that there are no convincing options. The managing director appeals to the new government of reducing bureaucratic hurdles in order to be able to work more efficiently.

2025 has been in relation to sales and sales at the level of the previous year, with a slight increase in gastronomy. The Wiesbauer brand continues to adhere to its philosophy of preserving economic stability without setting sales at all costs.