São Paulo – Brazil, the world’s third main producer of fruit and their products, should have, starting today (8), in São Paulo, the International Trade Fair for Fruit and Related Products, Processing, Technology and Logistics (Fruit & Log). The event, which ends on Thursday, at the Expo Center Norte, aims to attract producers, processors, exporters, distributors and importers from all over the world.
Promoted for the first time, by the Brazilian Fruit Institute (Ibraf), Fruit & Log brings over 80 exhibitors, including associations, cooperatives, producers and processors. Among the highlights of the event are the International Business Roundtables, to be promoted in the three days of the fair, with 15 buyers from 12 countries.
From the Arab world, two importers from the United Arab Emirates should participate in the event. The buyers were selected by the Ibraf in partnership with the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce. Apart from the Arab market, also participating are buyers from Germany, Russia, Denmark, the Netherlands, England, South Africa, Uruguay, Argentina and Chile, among others.
According to information disclosed by the Ibraf, the Business Roundtables aim at expanding export opportunities for Brazil, to promote and stimulate commercial and industrial cooperation, technology transfer and the creation of mixed corporations including medium and small enterprises.
The Ibraf and the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil) invited foreign journalists to cover the fair. Among the publications invited are Food Business Gulf&Middle East, which circulates throughout the entire Middle East and is distributed to buyers of foods and beverages, importers of fresh and processed food, as well as restaurants and hotels.
Among those invited to the opening of the fair is the secretary general at the Arab Brazilian Chamber, Michel Alaby, who will give a talk about the Brazilian economy to international buyers and journalists. Foreign trade, potential sectors and investment opportunities will be among the themes covered by Alaby.
Sector profile
Brazil produces 43 million tonnes of fruit a year, less only than the production of China (175 million tonnes) and India (57 million tonnes). The country is responsible for 60% of global orange juice exports. Of total Brazilian production of fruit, 30% is turned to the foreign market. Of this volume, 18 million tonnes are orange, of which 80% go to industries and generate over US$ 1.2 billion in exports.
From January to July, Brazil exported US$ 20 million in fruit to the Arab countries, which represented growth of 24% over the same period last year, when sector sales dropped 18%. The fruit most shipped to the Arab market were apples, limes and nuts, as well as orange juice.
The sector employs 5.6 million people, the equivalent to 27% of the agricultural labour. It generates between two and five work posts per hectare cultivated and is composed mainly of medium and small properties.
Service
Fruit&Log
Site: Expo Center Norte
Date: September 8th to 10th
Time: from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Further information: (+55 11) 2226-3161
E-mail: fruit&log@francal.com.br
Site: www.fruitelog.com.br
*Translated by Mark Ament
