Alo, Brazil! Food Exports Grow

JEFF WELLS

To consumers, it's an exotic locale. To manufacturers, it's a rich source of fresh and sustainable ingredients. For these reasons and more, Brazil has come into its own as a product supplier.

According to the country's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Farming and Supply, Brazilian exports of agricultural products grew from $20.6 billion in 2000 to $58.4 billion in 2007, a 183% increase. And some of the fastest-growing segments fall right in line with health and wellness. Fresh fruit exports, including the popular açai berries used in many functional beverages, grew from $120 million in 1998 to $642 million in 2007. Coffee export dollars grew more than fivefold in the same time period and now stand at more than $26 million.

“Brazil is the only country in the world that produces such a wide diversity of sustainable, quality foodstuffs,” said Alessandro Teixeira, president of Apex-Brazil, the country's trade and investment promotion agency.

With its abundance of tanned and toned bodies, Brazil also has a reputation in personal care. The country exported $484 million worth of cosmetics, toiletries and fragrances in 2006, according to the Brazilian Toiletry, Perfumery and Cosmetics Association — a 152% increase over the previous five years.