São Paulo – The winery Cave Antiga, based in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, has closed its first sale to the Arab world. The contract was signed in November for a batch of 130 boxes of grape juice to Sultan Center, a Kuwait-based distributor.
The talks leading up to the sale began at a matchmaking round at the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, as a part of the Buyer Project carried out during the Confederations Cup, in partnership with the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex).
The Foreign Trade manager Jorge Antônio says the negotiation took four months. “We believe it will be a long term affair. We will meet at the Gulfood,” says the executive, referring to the leading food industry fair in the Middle East, held annually in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.
Next year, Cave Antiga will have a booth at the event for the first time. “We have ascertained that the Emirates are a hub, a gateway into the Arab world. From there we can establish a long-term relationship with the Arab world,” he says.
Regarding the sale to the Kuwaiti customer, Antônio notes that this is just the first deal between the companies. “They have already signalled that they might make a larger order and a purchase schedule,” he says.
Cave Antiga has existed for over 30 years and makes sparkling wine, wine, and grape juice. For 2014, Antônio says the company is developing a gourmet line comprising white grape juice, balsamic vinegar, and jellies. According to him, the winery is betting on the new products in order to boost its sales to the Middle East.
“The Arab world awoke to gourmet, exclusive products a few years ago. Therefore, we will set aside part of our output to export,” he says. According to him, Cave Antiga is ready to adapt to the demands of different countries in the region.
The first batch will be shipped to Kuwait in January. It is worth noting that Sultan Center also operates in Jordan, Oman, Lebanon and Bahrain.
According to Antônio, the winemaking company is also in talks with other potential clients in the Arab world: it has shipped out samples to Dubai, and is dealing with a buyer in Abu Dhabi.
Outside of the Middle East, the company exports to Japan and Chile on a regular basis. Cave Antiga is headquartered in Farroupilha, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, and has an office in São Paulo.
Contact
Cave Antiga
Tel: +55 11 2941 5565
Email: export@caveantiga.com.br
Website: www.caveantiga.com.br
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
