Sector of chocolates should register take improvement in production in the second quarter

After having registered a low of almost 10% in the production of chocolates in the first quarter, the industry estimates that the period from April to June was slightly better. The second-quarter production numbers have not yet been closed by Abicab (Associação Brasileira da Indústria de Chocolate, cocoa, Peanuts, hard candies and derivatives), but the expectation is that they should present a minor retraction, although still in a negative level.
"The sensitivity we have, after contacts with manufacturers, are we going to continue with a smaller volume than 2014, but around 6% to 7% [to fall]," says Dan Franck, Vice President of the Association.
The result should be a reflection over actions taken by companies in that period of improvement of the economic environment, according to the Executive. Among the measures put into practice are the reduction of margins and the diversification of portfolios.
"The scenario for retail is still complicated, but manufacturers have adopted strategies to try to hold the fall [in sales] and also reduce inventories," said Fonseca.