São Paulo – Promoting Brazilian fruit and learning about the demand of Arab buyers are among the objectives behind Brazilian Fruit Institute (Ibraf) participation in Gulfood, the food sector fair that ends on Wednesday (2), in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. "The interest shown in Brazil at the fair is surprising," said the executive manager at Ibraf, Maurício de Sá Ferraz, who is in contact with his colleagues in Dubai.
According to him, the return of the event up to now has been positive. "The event is very successful."On Tuesday, Ferraz said that exhibitors at the stand were invited to dine with some Arab buyers. Currently, Brazil exports limes, oranges, nuts, apples, mango and grapes to the Arab market.However, the volume shipped is low.
Last year, the Arab countires imported US$ 3.3 billion in raw and processed fruit. Brazil exported US$ 9.3 million in fresh fruit to the region. According to Ferraz, sector exports are greatly focussed on the European market, 70%, and Ibraf has been working on market diversification.
The Arab habit of consuming alcohol-free beverages and much juice opens doors to Brazilian fruit. According to the executive manager, it is necessary to discover the demands of these nations to be able to work and invest in the market. "The idea is to return from the fair with this knowledge and to develop operations at local points of sale," he said.
The Ibraf includes companies Brasphil Alimentos, of assai, RBR Trading, selling apples, limes, mango and grapes, Ruette Spices, the Brazilian Wine Institute (Ibravin), taking natural grape juice, and Exporta Minas, a unit of the Economic Development Secretariat of the state of Minas Gerais, promoting pieapple, mango, banana and atemoya.
*Translated by Mark Ament
