Geovana Pagel
São Paulo – The seventh edition of international fair Sweet Brazil ends today (13) in Curitiba, capital of the southern Brazilian state of Paraná. It brings together novelties in the domestic chocolate industry, and is the main event in this market that has a turnover of over US$ 2 billion a year in Brazil.
On Thursday (11), businessmen from the United Arab Emirates, Libya, Yemen, and Egypt participated in a seminar about the "Figures of Brazil," organized specifically for foreign buyer committees. Africa, the Middle East, Canada, the Untied States, and New Zealand were represented at the meeting.
The seminar is part of the "buyer project," fruit of a partnership between the Brazilian Cocoa and Confectionery Manufacturers Association (Abicab) with the Brazilian Export Promotion Agency (Apex).
"Some importers came to Brazil for the first time. This kind of presentation is important as it demonstrates our great productive capacity," stated Ubiraci Fonseca, Abicab export vice-president. "The Arab countries, for example, have great buying potential due to their favourable economic situation," he stated.
"They import great volumes from the European countries, especially due to their geographic proximity. However, Brazil presents its price and quality as competitive differentials," he added.
According to Fonseca, the main sector markets are the United States, and the remaining countries in South America. But in future this may change, as some of the countries located in the Middle East and North Africa are importing more and more Brazilian sweets.
"The Arab countries are part of the new markets for sector export and already purchase between 15% and 20% of the volume exported from the country," stated Fonseca.
New opportunities
With 54 exhibitors, the fair represents 96% of the chocolate, 70% of the sweet and candy, and 56% of the peanut sectors. Its main objective is to unite representatives of the entire productive chain and show their products, news, and activities to the over 24,000 visitors who answer to 52% of purchases of industrialized products in the sector in the country.
Sweet Brazil takes place together with the 24th Annual Convention of the Wholesale and Distribution Industry (ABAD), and occupies an area of 4,000 square metres, corresponding to around 30% of the event area.
"The fair is also an excellent opportunity for direct contact between importers from various countries around the world, simplifying things for those who intend to expand their international business, or start an export policy," pointed out the Abicab director.
Last year, businessmen from various countries, including the United States, South Africa, Angola, Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ecuador, Spain, England, Jamaica, Palestine, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Portugal, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela visited the fair interested in Brazilian products.
Sample room
One novelty implemented in this edition was the Sample Room, which follows the moulds of the Sample Room at All Candy, the largest North America fair in the sector.
Only wholesalers can visit the room. They receive a bag in which they may put up to 1.5kg of products of their choice. The wholesalers can learn about the product and find the producer at the fair so as to negotiate.
Expanding market
Last year, sector foreign trade rose 48% over the 2002 result, from 119,000 to 172,000 tonnes, generating US$ 211 million. Brazil currently exports to 129 countries on all continents.
For 2004, growth is also expected. Between January and June this year, chocolate sweet, and candy export to the foreign market rose around 37%, the equivalent to US$ 126.7 million was sold abroad. The chocolate sector exported US$ 51.5 million and the sweet and candy sector US$ 75.1 million.
Contact
Abicab
www.abicab.org.br
