São Paulo – On the next 18th, the Brazilian Cocoa and Confectionery Manufacturers Association (Abicab) and the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil) are launching the Sweet Brasil 2015/2016 project, an international promotion action plan for the next two years. The target markets include Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
In addition to the two Arab countries, United States, Canada, South Africa, Russia, Japan and South Korea will be targeted by international actions of the Brazilian confectionery industry. “I will likely travel to the countries covered by the project in order to weigh the actual opportunities for our industry,” says Abicab Export manager Rodrigo Solano.
“In February I am going to Russia and in November next year I am visiting the leading confectionery distribution chains in the Emirates and Saudi Arabia,” he says.
Another confirmed action for 2015 is a trip of Brazilian industry executives to the Sweets & Snacks Middle East exhibition in Dubai. It will be the third time Brazilian companies attend the event.
In 2013, three companies went to the exhibition. This year, from November 9th to 11th, representatives from seven Brazilian enterprises will be at the trade show, “The numbers are growing because demand is going strong in the Middle East right now. We may need an even bigger Brazilian pavilion,” the manager says.
As regards products, the project will focus on premium and nutraceutical products. According to Solano, there is a worldwide trend of consuming vitamin-enriched products due their health benefits. These include jelly- and collagen-based hard candy and peanut-based products such as paçoca.
As to premium products, the manager highlights chocolate made from Brazilian cocoa. According to him, cocoa is farmed sustainably in the south of the state of Bahia and in the Amazonian rainforest, while preserving the native vegetation.
“Furthermore, the cocoa seed is fermented using a different process in order to conserve flavour and bouquet. Brazilian cocoa has a unique bouquet,” the executive says. He explains that the flavour of the fruit’s seed varies depending on how it is fermented.
He also explains that another local fruit, cupuaçu, is beginning to be used in order to make a product similar to chocolate. “It’s being called ‘cupulate’ and there are a few companies making it. It contains more natural fat and tastes fruitier. It also has a lighter tone than chocolate,” he says.
Exports
From January to September this year, Brazil exported 82,200 tonnes of confectionery products to the world, grossing US$ 205.6 million in revenues. Shipped volume was down 2.1% from the comparable period in 2013.
“Our companies are developing export-oriented products. It should be a while before the impact is felt,” Solano explains. According to him, the project will also work on building an internationally-oriented culture amid confectionery companies. “We want these businesses to perceive the international market as strategic, rather than simply as a destination for surplus production,” he asserts.
Year-to-date through September this year, exports to the Arab market increased. Shipped volume was 3,400 tonnes (up 16.6%) and revenues amounted to US$ 7.2 million (up 15.6%).
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
