São Paulo – The Brazilian companies that engaged in matchmaking sessions with Middle East and North Africa importers at the offices of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, in São Paulo, are expecting to receive orders in the next few months. ANBA spoke with people from five Brazilian companies who attended, and they believe deals will come to fruition soon.
The event is part of a Buyer Project of the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil) in partnership with the Arab Chamber. The project brought seven major Arab importers to Brazil: Elmahmal Group and AM Group, of Egypt; Atraco and Panda, of Saudi Arabia; the Lulu Group, of the AE; the Union of Consumer Cooperative Societies, of Kuwait; and Groupex, of Morocco.
Roberval Martins, the commercial director for Alca Foods, says he is in talks with Groupex, Panda, Lulu and Union. His company makes morning cereals and the executive is hoping to close orders for up to 40 tons per month, or some USD 200,000, with the four buyers. “I think the matchmaking was great, and I really liked the buyers’ profiles. It was one of the best such events I ever attended, result-wise,” he said.
Arthur Millen, of the trading company Millen, is expecting an order worth USD 40,000 from El Mahmal. The sale should include sandwich cookies, wafers, drops, chocolate straws and gingerbread by the brand Cory, which his company represents. The deal is for 25 tons of product.
Bruno Giacomini, the Exports manager with candy and snacks company Irlofil, is discussing sales to the supermarkets Lulu and Panda. The executive is expecting to close an order for 44 tons of coated peanuts and roasted peanuts, at an initial price of USD 70,000.
Lucas Sá, a consultant for coffee company Baggio Café, talked business with El Mahmal and Groupex. He said the companies have shown keen interest in his product. Potential orders should be for 2 to 3 tons of gourmet and aromatized coffee, worth an estimated USD 70,000.
The consultant said he enjoyed the event, which was the company’s first shot at breaking into the Arab market. He believes that once a company finds a partner in the region that can do a good job of promoting its products, “the chance of being successful is very big,” he ponders.
Although the primary focus of the matchmaking was the food industry, companies from other sectors also jumped at the chance to showcase their products. A case in point is hair cosmetics manufacturer Prolab, which spoke with people from Groupex, El Mahhmal and Atraco. “We are talking amounts, pricing and contracts,” said Export manager Jorge Zakhem.
He related that the Arabs were interested in hair treatment, restoration and maintenance products. He is expecting deals with the three importers to amount to as much as USD 100,000.
Overall, 47 Brazilian companies attended.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
