From the Newsroom*
São Paulo – Before August this year seven mini factories for processing cashew nuts will begin operations in the northeastern Brazilian state of Ceará, according to information disclosed by the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae) News Agency. Six of the factories are new, and one is reformed.
Each unit will have the capacity to process 208 tonnes annually. The sales of what is produced will be in charge of the Cashew Agro-industrial Cooperative (Copacaju), which will also start its activities as of the second semester this year.
The mini factories will operate in the cities of Aquiraz, Aracti, Barreira, Granja, Ocara and Tucuru. The cooperative will be based in the city of Pacajus. The aim is to make the factories revitalise the regional economy.
Each unit will offer from 35 to 40 direct work posts, as well as 140 indirect. The investment for the physical structure and equipment varies between US$ 40,500 and US$ 48,600 and will be made through the Bank of Brazil Foundation (FBB).
The Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae) is participating in the project with technical support in organising the producers, which has already resulted in the formation of the Copacaju.
*Translated by Silvia Lindsey
