Curitiba, Sep. 20 - Asia and the Middle East offer good business perspectives for the food and beverage sector in the southern Brazilian state of Paraná over the next 10 years.
"The industry in Paraná state should also bet on Russia and the Middle East," stated Ana Morato, technical director at the Industrial Technology Prospection Observatory (Opti), of Madrid. The institution has been organizing, together with the Federation of Industries of the State of Paraná, a study of the market opportunities for the industrial sector of Paraná, both in Brazil and abroad.
The Middle East is already an important consumer of industrialized and semi-industrialized food from the state of Paraná, mainly poultry. So as to remain active in these markets and expand its participation, suggested Ana, the industry from the state of Paraná must add value to its products, investing in ready dishes and functional food. She also proposes the incorporation of tools that may improve company productivity, like biotechnology.
The food and beverage sector of Paraná has as its main characteristic a large number of small companies. These industries are aware of the need for modernization of processes and products. "They have invested heavily in innovation, export significant volumes and have great potential for expansion in the future. But, for this reason, they need to invest in the qualification of workers and in the improvement of trade techniques," warned the technical director at Opti.
Industries and specialists in the food and beverage sector are aware of the new opportunities. "Asia is already being explored by the Brazilian industry. We may offer greater added value products at more competitive prices," stated businessman Pedrinho Furlan, from Sadia. He mentions the example of chicken hamburgers, which are exported to McDonald's in Europe and may also reach Asia.
"Industry from the state of Paraná has very diversified offer in the areas of meat, dairy products and grain, required by the greatest markets in the world. The Asian market is a future tendency for greater demand of these products," observed Guntolf Van Kaick, a spokesperson for the Union and Organization of Cooperatives of the State of Paraná (Ocepar).
The food and beverage industry of the state of Paraná currently counts on 3,665 companies, and the most representative activity is the bakery sector and confectionery, which concentrates 27% of the total. The sector generates 112,038 work posts, of 5.5% of the contingent of formal workers in the state. Around 84% of the companies are small and employ up to 19 workers. In 2005, the food and beverage industry of the state of Paraná exported US$ 158.5 million, 7.3% greater than the result for 2004.