São Paulo – The Brazilian branch of the Canada-based Export Packers Company wants to boost sales and increase market share in the Arab world. The trading company’s arm in Brazil is located in Blumenau, in the state of Santa Catarina, and sells to 70 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Kuwait and Oman. According to the company’s commodities trader in Brazil, Daniel Schültz Machado, the Arab market currently accounts for 5% of sales. The goal, however, is to raise that rate to 10% within five to ten years.
The Export Packers office in Blumenau was established in April last year, so the company could be closer to its suppliers, and increase sales to Arab countries. The company already sold to these, from Brazil, before it had a base in the country. “Export Packers is investing and betting on sales to the Arab countries,” says Machado. According to him, although the percentage of sales to the region is still low, the company regards the Arab market as strategic.
Sales to the region are mostly poultry and beef. “There is a small amount of pork, which is handled only by clients that adhere to strict rules. Transport, storage, and handling are done in separate from halal beef and poultry,” Machado explains.
In order to be able to boost exports to the region, the Brazilian branch of Export Packers has become associated with the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, and now intends to visit target markets and go to international fairs. Machado has been to a business matchmaking event with Arab food buyers at the Arab Brazilian Chamber last week, and went to the last edition of Gulfood, a food fair held in the first half of the year in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
As a member of the Chamber, Export Packers is expecting access to market information, among other benefits. “We believe that the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce is an important prospecting tool, and it provides safety to doing trade in the Arab world,” says Machado. He also mentions the results of the matchmaking event. “We were pleased with the event’s quality and organization, and with the excellent level of the clients and buyers in attendance,” he says.
The Brazilian branch of Export Packers operates in product purchase and resale, especially meats. The product is acquired from small, medium, and large packing companies in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Brazil is the leading supplier. Occasionally, the company also sells grain, but the main focus is on meat, says Machado. Worldwide, in addition to the Trading division, which deals in meats, grain, juices, fruit, and frozen vegetables, the company has a Seafood division.
Last year, the Trading division sold 12,500 containers, of mostly meats, worldwide. A family enterprise, the Export Packers Company was established in 1937 and sells in excess of US$ 800 million a year. In addition to the headquarters in Canada’s Greater Toronto Area, the company has offices in Brazil, Hong Kong, Macedonia, and the United States.
Contact
Export Packers Company Limited
Telephone: +55 47 3237-2880
Email: daniel_machado@exportpackers.com
Website: www.exportpackers.com
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
