Geovana Pagel
São Paulo – Cashew nut processing industry Amêndoas do Brasil, based in Fortaleza, capital of the northeastern state of Ceará, started exporting to Lebanon and Saudi Arabia a few months ago, and is now investing in sales to the United Arab Emirates. From December 7 to 9, the company participated in the Brazilian Week and Trade Exhibition in Dubai, the largest trade center in the Arab country.
Company president Antonio José Carvalho says that it is still too early to know the result of Brazilian participation, but he says he can see good business opportunities. "Chances materializing at the fair were unique, we made over 40 interesting contacts and have some price estimates to send," he commemorates.
According to the businessman, the Emirates imports over US$ 20 million from India every year, and is "a rich country with high buying power."
Carvalho explains that the company is currently diversifying its markets, and that the Emirates were already considered a potential Brazilian nut buyer. "I believe that company participation in the Week will bring good short-term business," he bets.
Amêndoas do Brasil was established 12 years ago. It processes 22,000 tons of nuts annually, being 95% of production for the export market. The industry employs 950 people and has annual revenue of US$ 17 million.
Company foreign trade started in 1992, and export is currently to the United States, Canada, Germany, England, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia. In the list of possible new importers are Japan and the United Arab Emirates.
According to data supplied by the Brazilian Association of Cashew Nut Manufacturers (Sindicaju), Ceará state has almost half of the 650,000 hectares of cashew nut cultivated in the Northeast and 9 of the 12 Brazilian industries in the sector.
The business generates 300,000 jobs throughout the productive chain, and should end 2003 with revenue of US$ 140 million. The foreign market is responsible for 85% of this total.
Contact
Amêndoas do Brasil
www.amendoasdobrasil.com.br
