São Paulo – Importers from Arab countries traveled to Brazil at the invitation of the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) this week to negotiate with Brazilian food companies and other supermarket products. Thirty-five international buyers were invited, including four from the United Arab Emirates, one from Jordan, and one from Saudi Arabia.
From May 15 to 18, importers participated in B2Bs at the Unique Hotel in the mornings. In the afternoon, they visited the supermarket sector APAS Show, all in São Paulo. The same 100 Brazilian companies that met with the importers are exhibiting in ApexBrasil’s space at the show.
UAE-based Safco participated in the activities. The company, which operates mainly in food service, already imports from Brazil but wants to diversify its portfolio. The Category Procurement manager of Safco’s Import Division, Pankaj Mamnani (pictured above), said the company always looks for innovations and solutions for its food service customers.
Safco buys products from Brazil, such as beef, poultry, and açaí, among others. “We already do a lot of business with Brazil, and with the help of ApexBrasil, we always find new products,” said Mamnani to ANBA. The executive claims he found good products and variety in the B2Bs in Brazil. In addition to the UAE, Safco exports to over 60 countries.
Processed products
ApexBrasil selected foreign buyers through regional offices abroad. Brazilian companies were selected based on the demands of importers. Thus, local companies with different profiles were invited, from small to cooperatives and large companies, all seasoned exporters.
“Companies are very excited about the reception of their products; some are launching new lines. From the conversations I had, they were very excited with the buyers and with the show itself,” said to ANBA the Agribusiness division coordinator of ApexBrasil, Paula Soares. The focus of the initiative is the diversification of the Brazilian export basket. The products offered are industrialized or processed. In addition to foodstuffs, Brazilian hygiene, cleaning supplies, and cosmetics companies, which also sell to supermarkets, participated.
Middle East
The regional manager for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) of ApexBrasil’s office for the Middle East, North Africa, and India, Antonio Braga, said among the buyers coming from the Middle East were companies focused on retail and others concentrating on food service, serving hotel chains. Most have well-established e-commerce platforms. “They offer a more accessible channel for Brazilian companies,” said Braga about food service. “Seventy percent of those we brought from the Middle East are large, sizable companies, one of which has 8,000 bar codes,” he said.
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
