The Brazilian Association of Pasta Industries (Abima) and the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (APEX-Brasil) signed an agreement today to promote exports of Brazilian pasta.
The project provides for over US$ 420,000 (1.2 million reais) in investments by the private sector and the federal government.
Fifty four companies make up this sector in Brazil, and the 9 that are participating in the project hope to attain US$ 5.7 million in foreign sales over the next 12 months.
“We are initiating a project with a sector that is currently the world’s third largest pasta producer, with technology and products comparable to those of the producers that already enjoy international renown,” commented Juan Quirós, president of APEX-Brasil.
According to Quirós, the aim is to expand on the international market. “For this endeavor, we chose certain sectors (markets), chiefly Africa, Florida (in the United States), and Latin America,” he informed.
The purpose of the agreement is to ensure standards of quality, price, volume, and delivery timetables compatible with the major world producers and to encourage the development of new products.
Brazil is the world’s third largest producer of pasta, with an annual volume of more than a million tons. Brazilian pasta exports grew 213% in 2004, compared with 2003.
Brazil exported 6 thousand tons of last year and earned US$ 6 million. In Quirós’s opinion, however, these are still very slim pickings.
ABr – www.radiobras.gov.br