Tracking exports annually from 74 member companies OrganicsBrazil has been an export promotion project, geared to assist Brazilian companies develop this channel, says executive coordinator, Ming Liu. In spite of strong growth in the domestic market, in 2012 companies taking part in the project closed export sales for U.S. $ 129.5 million increasing by 50% over the previous year, reported Mr. Liu. “International demand continues to grow and we have to strengthen the process of export value and so we need companies to invest in technology and innovation. Like any other business we need to innovate, says Mr. Liu.”
OrganicsBrazil aims to show the greatness of Brazilian biodiversity, with savanna biomes, rainforest, Amazon, Pantanal and Pampa. And these wonderful geographic areas partner with acai, andiroba, guarana, cupuaçu, buruti tucuman, babassu, mangaba cajuí, pequi, baru, mamacadela and highlight other native traditional products and tropical fruits, honey, sugar, palm oil, grain short, each in their region and each with its history.
“Our motto is that Brazil is Organic by Nature, and this is our biggest differentiator,” Mr Lui says. “We have dealt with this spread very prominent in campaigns and visual communication materials, where we highlight the issue of the country’s biodiversity.” Figures released at BioFach 2013, Nuremberg reveal that some 15,000 organic products are registered in Brazil. The country has an organic growing area of approximately 2.8 million hectares that is increasing every year.
OrganicsBrazil says its estimated total turnover for organics in 2012 was 750 million Reais, or EUR 285 million; 50-60% of sales goes to export markets and that the forecast sales until 2014 are for 1.0 billion Reais (EUR 378 million). Local sales channels are made up of two-thirds conventional supermarket chains and retailers to one- third specialized shops, online retailers and farmers markets. The largest retailer (organic and conventional) in Brazil is Pão de Açúcar (Casino Group) with sales growth of 30-40% a year.