12/17/2008 11h10
Food sector ends 2008 at average high of 15%
DCI - 12/17/2008
The companies of the food sector should close the year of 2008 with an income of R$ 270 billion (US$ 117.4 billion), according to the data of the Brazilian Association of Food Industries (Abia). Of that total, R$ 231 billion (US$ 100.4 billion) are represented by food and R$ 39 billion (US$ 16.9 billion) by beverage. According to Abia, the segments that lead the share in the total volume are oil and fat (26%), meat products (21%), coffee and grains (21%), wheat products (18%) and chocolate and candies (16%). Also according to the Abia, the acquisitions in the sector generated R$ 5.1 billion (US$ 2.2 billion) and the investments achieved nearly R$ 11 billion (US$ 4.8 billion), mainly in equipment and facilities, marketing and distribution (920 million/US$ 400 million) and new products (R$ 90 million/US$ 39.1 million). In this business, Harald, leader industry in the production and supply of chocolates in Brazil, expects to end the year with an increase of 15% in the sales in relation to the previous year. Ahead the market trend, the forecast for 2009 is to increase the sales in 18%.
