Europe sees Brazilian confections bonanza in 2017
In confectionery, Brazilian exports to the EU amounted to $83.1m in 2017, growing at over 40% compared to $48.1m in 2016, said the Brazilian Cocoa, Chocolate, Peanut and Candies Manufacturers Association (ABICAB).
Worldwide, Brazil exported $499.5m worth of confectionery products, including chocolate, candies and gum, last year, growing at 20% versus a year ago.
The ABICAB figures for 2017 also show that exports of Brazilian cereal-based packaged food to the EU increased 50% in volume.
Yasmin Atun, export manager at the association, said Europe currently represents 66.6% of Brazil’s confectionery exports.
New product launches
ABICAB highlighted some of the regional brands that resonate well with consumer trends in mature markets during the recent ISM trade fair in Germany.
Riclan, for example, launched Toffee Zero Lactose, a milk caramel chewy candy free from lactose in chocolate and milk flavors; as well as Pocket, a sugar free hard candy in Brazilian coffee and milk flavors, Atun said.
The 60-year-old Peccin has also been investing in new product platforms, she added. It launched chocolate Trento Lemon, a filled wafer covered in white chocolate, as well as a candy with super fruit Açaí berry.
Additionally, Embaré, a caramel producer for almost four decades, developed a line of caramel in six traditional Brazilian flavors for the European market: Açaí berry, cupuaçú, soursop, papaya, mango and pitanga (Brazilian cherry), according to Yatun. It has planned investments of $6m in its plant for 2018.
However, Atun pointed out Europe is a “competitive market” for the confectionery category as Brazilian products are competing against several large CPG companies. She hopes the exports can maintain its current growth in 2018.
