US$ 6.6 billion in machines in food industry
Gazeta Mercantil - 12/14/2007
This year, the industry of foods and beverages already invested in machinery and equipment until October 54% more than it had done throughout the entire year of 2006. The value reached R$ 11.7 billion (US$ 6.6 billion), according to Brazilian Association of Food Industries (Abia). According to Amilcar Lacerda, manager of the department of economics and statistics of Abia, the segments that have invested more funds on the expansion of the lines of products were those of chocolate, sugar, meats, vegetable oils, and beverages - in this last one, the sub-segment of juices stands out, registering growth rates above two digits in the last five years. "What has contributed for this growth is mainly the horizon of economic stability that allows the entrepreneurs of the food sector to make long-term investments", said Lacerda. The increase of the consumption by the Brazilian families, as well as the greater volume of credit available for the purchase of the equipment and machinery, has also contributed for this high. Schincariol is one of the companies that has increased its bet on juices. The launching of a line last October, Fruthos, absorbed R$ 63 million (US$ 35.4 million), from which R$ 45 million (US$ 25.3 million) of this total for industrial adaptation, which included the acquisition of machinery and equipment, as informed by Marcel Sacco, Marketing Director of the Schincariol group.