The recently hosted Outward Selling Mission (OSM) in Brazil produced great trade leads for South African business. Most of the products were well received by importers, business associations and supermarkets in the country. The five day OSM which was organised by the Department of Trade and Industry, (the dti) ended on Friday in Sao Paulo.
One of the major supermarkets in Sao Paulo had a second buyers meeting with all South African businesses, to explore some of the opportunities that these companies offered in terms of their market and also to identify areas where they could collaborate with them.
Cape Town based Executive Director of Bayede Marketing, Ms Antoinette Vermooten says some of their wines and rooibos tea were highly recommended by buyers on their second meeting.
“We were given an opportunity to demonstrate some of the unique features that our products have and some of the buyers had an opportunity to taste our products and tell us which areas we need to improve on in order to adapt to the Brazilian market,” said Vermooten.
She indicated that she clinched a deal with the supermarket and some of her wines and rooibos will go on a test basis order for the first six months.
Deputy-Director of Export Promotion at the dti Ms Nthatisi Moraloge says Brazil importers and buyers are looking for opportunities to do business with South African companies. She believes that prospects are positive for further increasing trade with Brazil.
“The strategic relationship between Brazil and South Africa which flows out of our participation in India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) and BRICS, is also reflected in our commercial relationship that the two countries have,” said Moraloge.
She also said agro-processing has shown tremendous growth in the past and that South African products were now ready to be introduced to other South American markets.
South African exports to Brazil has shown growth in the last five years to reach around US$ 848,6 million in 2012. In addition to base materials, some of the top products being exported to Brazil include herbicides, vehicle engines and chemicals.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe, Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
