São Paulo – Caring for processes ranging from selection of cocoa beans to the moment in which the chocolate is ready, Nugali is one of the few companies in Brazil to care for the entire production process of one of the most appreciated and ancient sweets in the world. The company now wants to export its chocolates and is seeking a distributor in the Arab world.
“I feel it is a promising market. It is a market with great buying power and that is interested in chocolate," said Maitê Lang, the founder and director of Nugali. According to her, the company is evaluating the possibility of participating in a delegation to the Middle East with the Federation of Industries of the State of Santa Catarina (Fiesc), to take place in November, with the support of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce.
Maitê believes that Nugali chocolate may compete with those produced in Europe. "We have our own characteristic flavour, but follow the same quality standards," she said.
According to the businesswoman, the elevated cost of raw material and the appreciation of the real have been stunting Nugali exports, affecting competitiveness. However, she is still interested in the foreign market and says she may boost current production by up to 30% to supply the demand of foreign clients.
This year, the Nugali factory should produce 130 tonnes of chocolates. The product packages are already produced in English and some in Spanish
Before establishing Nugali, in 2004, Maitê worked as an importer of parts for aircraft maker Embraer. Due to her travels, she received many chocolate orders from friends. On identifying a good market niche in the fine chocolate market, she left her job in the aeronautics industry and decided to establish her own chocolate brand.
She travelled to Belgium and Germany to study chocolate production in those nations. From Europe, she brought the techniques of the best chocolatiers and also part of the equipment that currently produces Nugali chocolates.
“I am keenly attuned to the Belgian chocolate production school due to the volume of cocoa," said Maitê. This influence resulted in the production of chocolate with up to 80% cocoa in its composition. Cocoa nuts, the basis for chocolate, are bought from selected producers in southern Bahia and also in Ecuador.
Bitter chocolate, in fact, is the most successful variety, explained Maitê. Apart from them, Nugali also produces milk, mixed, capsules and sugar free chocolate, as well as bonbons, pastilles for warm drinks and others, among 20 different products.
Maitê explained that most of the industrial chocolates of Brazil focus on cheaper products, using ingredients like fats and adding excessive sugar. She said that the Nugali differential is maintaining a "more traditional chocolate formula". "We use 100% cocoa butter. We grant great importance to the cocoa and use natural vanilla," she says.
In Brazil, Nugali sells to 12 states in the South, Southeast, Midwest and Northeast. Maitê does not reveal company revenues, but says that, in 2009, Nugali had 50% greater revenues than in 2008 and, this year, she hopes for growth of 30% over revenues last year.
Nugali has offices in the city of Pomerode, in Santa Catarina, and has 25 employees. The company currently has two of its own shops and should open others in March 2011.
Contact
Nugali
Tel: (+55 47) 3387-3468
E-mail: maite@nugali.com.br
Site: www.nugali.com.br
*Translated by Mark Ament
