São Paulo – Brazilians had the opportunity on Friday (22) to sample Tunisian olive oils and dates during a gastronomic immersion event held at the headquarters of the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) in São Paulo, following the participation of companies from the Arab country in this week’s APAS Show supermarket trade fair. Tunisian exhibitors offered their products to participants of the “Gastronomic Immersion – Flavors of Tunisia” event in an initiative aimed at promoting dates and olive oils produced in their country among Brazilian consumers.
“We conceived this event as a renewed opportunity to present to you the finest products of our food industry: olive oil and dates. These are globally renowned, top-quality products that our national institutions work hard to promote around the world and that today we seek to firmly establish in the promising Brazilian market,” said Atef Ghariani, director of the Financial and Administrative Sector at the Tunisian Export Promotion Center (Cepex), also known as Tunisia Export, during the opening ceremony of the event.
He said the immersion reflects Tunisia’s determination to build a Tunisian-Brazilian trade partnership based on mutual benefit, mutual gains and the strong desire of Tunisian exporting companies to establish a stronger presence in the Brazilian market. “All the positive indicators recorded by our exports to Brazil in recent years support this vision and will encourage us to diversify our presence at similar events by introducing new products that we believe are capable of standing out and competing,” Ghariani said.
The event was attended by Fernando Ferreira, chief of staff at São Paulo’s Municipal Secretariat for International Relations. “More than a gastronomic celebration, this gathering represents a bridge between cultures, peoples and opportunities,” he said during the opening ceremony. Addressing an audience that also included Tunisian company representatives, he spoke about the strong Arab presence in São Paulo and how it helped transform the city into a commercial hub. Ferreira mentioned the 12 million Arabs and descendants living in Brazil and their concentration in the country’s Southeast region, where São Paulo is located.
“Tunisia holds a strategic position in North Africa and the Mediterranean, connecting markets, cultures and economic opportunities. We have enthusiastically followed the progress of trade cooperation between Brazil and Tunisia, especially in the food, agribusiness, olive oil, date and value-added products sectors,” he said about the Arab country highlighted at the event, emphasizing the importance of the tasting gathering and the participation of Tunisians in APAS Show.
The gathering was opened by ABCC President William Adib Dib Jr., who spoke about the goal of the tasting event: to bring Brazilian audiences closer to the richness, tradition and quality of Tunisian products through a gastronomic experience highlighting ingredients from Tunisia in different preparations. “Tunisia is now one of the world’s leading olive oil producers, with brands frequently recognized among the best in the world in international rankings and competitions.”
Dib also spoke about Tunisian dates. “The country also stands out for producing excellent-quality dates, appreciated and exported to several international markets,” he said. According to the ABCC’s president, the presence of Tunisian products has been growing in Brazil. “Brazilian consumers are becoming increasingly familiar not only with the quality of these products, but also with the tradition, authenticity and excellence they carry,” the president said.
Also present at the event among the ABCC officials were Vice President of International Relations & Secretary-General Mohamad Orra Mourad, Vice President of Marketing Silvia Antibas, Treasurer Director Mohamad Abdouni Neto—who is also Jordan’s honorary consul in São Paulo—former president Rubens Hannun—also Tunisia’s honorary consul in São Paulo—and board members Alessandra Frisso and William Atui.
Other authorities present included Kaissar Khadhraoui, chargé d’affaires of the Tunisian Embassy in Brazil; Cepex director Hela Ammar; Qatar’s consul-general in São Paulo, Almuhannad Ali Al-Hammadi; and Hassan Al-Saadani, head of Tunisia’s Trade and Consular Office in São Paulo. The event was organized by the ABCC, the Tunisian Embassy in Brazil, Tunisia’s Trade and Consular Office in São Paulo and Cepex.
The following companies offered products for tasting at the event: Oleajoy Huilerie El Allem, Dorcas, Bizerta Agri Industry, Fermes Ali Sfar, Fit – Fadhel International Trading, Nouri Dates, Al Jazira, Golden Export, SAFT, Sotudex, Sora Oil, Afrimex Trading Ecodattes, Riviere D’Or, Bulla Regia, Solicia, Sages and Auraland.
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Translated by Guilherme Miranda
