BRASÍLIA: “The domestic market is the parameter for both our purchase and our sales, since our producers base their prices on the situation of the domestic market. However, we are looking for exporters from around the world to import products from, since we are always looking for the best quality at the most competitive price. This is also a result of the financial stagnation of Brazil, but still consumers are demanding quality products,” says Pedro Nakamura from Hortmix a Brazilian distributing company.
Hortmix has distributed all kinds of fruits and vegetables for the past 15 years, while focusing on supermarket chains and wholesalers in São Paulo. “We purchase the products and are responsible for the sorting and classification of the products to meet the needs and standardization of our customers. We normally handle between 190 to 210 tons of fruits and vegetables per day, but we have peak days that go up to 350 tons a day. All of our products are bought from partners, with whom we have established relationships with over the years,” explains Pedro.
Pedro believes the trend of the Brazilian market is that Brazil is becoming a global consumer, betting on new markets. “There is probably going to be a shortage of our domestic Gala apples from August till the end of year which makes us look towards the European market for importing. As well, China might be an option to meet the current demand for apples and pears in the Brazilian market. Normally, our best import market Argentina supplies their apples to fill the gap. However, since we don’t receive the amount that is necessary we are looking into new markets.”
Pedro explains that also the weather influences the prices of the domestic products, mainly causing problems for vegetables and in general potatoes and onions. “The current market of domestic potatoes and onions is in a very bad situation. We pay high prices for our domestic onions even though the quality is poor. This means that our domestic onions are more expensive than the Chilean imported onions, which account for the costs for freight and customs charges for example. This causes a certain rush on the market, since other and new markets are becoming interesting.”
