São Paulo – International buyers who participated in business meetings promoted by the Brazilian Supermarket Association (Abras), in São Paulo, left the country with good business perspectives. "I found the meetings very positive. The quality of the products is very good and the packages are excellent," said Egyptian trader Marwan El Fouly, of the Egyptian Traders Co.
In total, 25 buyers from 17 countries participated in the meetings. Some 750 meetings took place with suppliers and importers. "The buyers liked the products offered very much and suppliers said that the importers who came were very qualified," said the international manager at Abras, Cláudio Macedo. According to him, the roundtables had positive acceptance and there is great expectation of business.
According to Fouly, the feeding habits of Egypt are changing, which opens opportunities to start importing new products, mainly condiments and sauces. The pepper by the Brazilian Aref Company, for example, called the attention of the Egyptian, who liked the diversity of items and packages.
Sydney Marques de Paiva, for example, CEO at company Bom Dia Café, which already exports to 22 countries, was very pleased with the contacts he made. "I like this kind of meeting very much," he said, adding that he spoke to all the buyers. With the Egyptian, he left several samples of coffees, from the traditional to the gourmet ones. The company, headquartered in Minas Gerais, exports 35% of its production and its target is to turn 50% to the foreign market.
The Arab market is one of the focuses of the company, which exports to the United Arab Emirates. According to Paiva, to come closer to the market, Bom Dia Café should participate in the Brazilian stand at Saudi Agro-Food, a food sector fair that should take place from November 1st to 4th, in Saudi Arabia.
Representatives of company Cory, of sweets, also found the business roundtables the best way to make contact and open the market. The company already exports to South and Central America, Africa and the Middle East and plans to expand its business on the foreign market.
Another company that praised the roundtables was Maria Mercedes, of Argentinean distributor Yaguar. "I made around 40 contacts and each was better than the other," said the representative of the company, which already imports food from four Brazilian companies. According to her, the main problem is the price, which, due to the appreciation of the real against the dollar has made the products more expensive.
The importer of Australian chain Woolworths, Craig Taylor, showed interest in biscuits, canned products, pasta and sweets. "I found the Brazilian products fantastic. The challenge is to make it possible for companies to supply the demands of the Australian market, with the necessary certificates," said Taylor. According to him, the network is made up of 900 supermarkets and hypermarkets and has a turnover of US$ 45 billion a year.
*Translated by Mark Ament
