São Paulo – Egyptian herbs and peppers and Emirati dates exporters are participating in the 2nd International Food Exhibition (Sial) in São Paulo this week. The Egyptian companies are in a stand organized by the Egyptian Medicinal & Aromatic Plants (Emap) project, which has brought 14 companies to the fair. The date exporters are in Brazil for the first time, seeking distributors for their products.
The managing director of the Cairo-based herbs, peppers and seeds supplying company Arcotrade, Houssam Mahmoud Shalaby said that showcasing his products in São Paulo opens up markets not only in the city, but throughout Brazil. “São Paulo is the commercial center of a very large, highly populated country with a very mixed population that uses the products we sell. Here, we can find customers among the German, Italian and Arab communities. Opportunities are plenty,” said Shalaby, who engaged in matchmaking rounds with Brazilian buyers, alongside other Egyptian delegates, last Monday (24th) at the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce headquarters.
Shalaby says Egyptian spice exports to Brazil may double within a year. He believes there are many potential clients among manufacturers of industrialized products, bakeries, natural remedies and spice manufacturers. He said that 8% of all basil consumed worldwide originates from Egypt, as well as 8% of all chamomile.
The Marketing and Export manager at trading company Elshobaki, Sherif Elshobaki, hopes to introduce Brazilian consumers to products which are still largely unused in the country. “I believe there is a large market for spices to be explored in Brazil, especially products which are new to the local public,” he said. Pepper company Fridal intends to take the same approach, according to the marketing manager Maha Elgazzar.
Brazil, the new world
The Emap project’s national coordinator Mahmoud Abdel Salam said Brazil plays a key role in Egypt’s plans of increasing its spice exports by 10% a year. “We want to strengthen the industry in Egypt and add value to the product. To that end, we are seeking out new markets. Some of the possibilities that we have spotted were Brazil, Ukraine and Russia,” he said. Presently, Egypt exports 70,000 tonnes of spices per year, fetching US$ 125 million.
The Emap exporters’ participation in Sial and the Arab Brazilian Chamber matchmaking rounds are not the first time that the Egyptian herbs and spices manufacturers have come into contact Brazil. In 2011, Emap delegates visited Brazilian herb producers. Last year, Brazilian importers travelled to Egypt, invited by the Emap, to attend a food fair. Besides Fridal, Elshobaki and Arcotrade, the Egyptian stand includes AMD Verde, Egintex, Nabil Morsy Co., Organic Land, Giza Seed, El Wadi, Spice Kingdom, Herbal FM, Al Ahrsam Herbs, EOA and Orient Group.
Dates
Representatives from the United Arab Emirates-based Al Foah are also at Sial. According to the general manager Mussalam Al Ameri, this is the company’s first time in Brazil. “We operate in 44 countries and we want to be in Brazil. That is why we are looking for distributors to our products here,” he said. Ameri also said Brazil may be a platform from which to sell dates to all of South America.
“If we manage to sell approximately 500,000 units per year, it would be a good start,” he said. Presently, Asia is the company’s main market, in particular India and China. A kilogram sells for roughly US$ 5.
Service
2nd International Food Exhibition
Until June 28th from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Expo Center Norte, Rua José Bernardo Pinto, 333, Vila Guilherme, São Paulo-SP
For information call (+55 11) 3017-6807 or go to http://www.informagroup.com.br/site/hotsite.asp?IdEvento=181
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
