Barretos – This month, the processed foods division of the meat packing company Minerva has shipped out the first batch of “steak churrasco” (BBQ steak), a type of hamburger, to the Subway fast food chain in the Middle East. The Brazilian branch of Subway is already a client of Minerva Fine Foods (MFF) in Brazil, by way of exclusive contracts for processed protein production. Minerva also exports products to other companies in the Middle East.
“We have shipped our first batch of processed beef to Subway’s Middle East unit. It will go to the United Arab Emirates, and from there it will be distributed to stores in other countries in the region. The Middle East is a major market for us. We have exported some of our products to the region in the past,” said the head of the Minerva Fine Foods R&D department, Francisco Ormenese, during a visit of journalists to the processed protein plant this week.
The American fast food chain has units in over 100 countries, including the Arab countries of Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, Emirates, Egypt, Oman and Qatar.
According to Ormenese, the bulk of production at the unit is shipped abroad, especially to the European Union. The plant makes processed foods which are also sold domestically. MFF supplies nine different items to Subway in Brazil, five of which have been developed and are made exclusively for this particular client.
Investment
Minerva Fine Foods is one of the divisions of the meat packing company Minerva, which has been investing in processed foods lately. MFF was wholly incorporated by Minerva in 2012, when the company acquired the remaining 15% stake in Dawn Farms Foods (DFF), the business’ former owner. The company should launch a new pulled chicken production line in early 2014.
According to Minerva’s balance sheets for quarter two 2013, MFF posted a 131.5% increase in domestic gross income from quarter two 2012. The division of which MFF is a part posted R$ 239.3 million worth of income during the period.
*The reporter travelled by invitation of Minerva. Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
