Production has fall second year

The production of chocolates in Brazil should end in fall 2014, for the second consecutive year. From January to September, the sector shrank by 2%, in comparison with the same period last year, according to the Associação Brasileira da Indústria de Chocolate, cocoa, peanuts, hard candies and derivatives (Abicab). The estimate of the points to stability in the fourth quarter, a period that encompasses the manufacture of products for Christmas, second best date for the market after Easter.
In 2013, the industry's production had slight fall of 0.5% to 530 million tons. "As much as we did developments in products, campaigns, improved distribution, actions at the World Cup, will again be a year without growth," says Fonseca. The Executive points the economic scenario, low growth and high inflation, as the villain. At the beginning of the year, there was an expectation of recovery of the industry, due to the late Easter, on April 20, and the World Cup.
Prices of chocolates and candy bar have risen mainly in the second half of the year. Grade inflation peaked to 7.58% in the 12 months ending in October, above the IPCA General.
The Abicab doesn't make projections, but the scenario for 2015 is more encouraging, according to Fonseca. "I personally think it will be a difficult year. Economically not shows a year of a lot of euphoria, because there will be many adjustments in the economy, "he says. After spending of 350 000 tonnes for 532 thousand tons between 2009 and 2011, the sector has lost steam and parked at this level. The Brazil is the third largest market of chocolates in the world, after United States and Germany.
The manufacture of premium chocolates, used as a gift at Christmas, is the one that should grow this year. The category is still little representative, but is the fastest growing. Last year, accounted for about 30 thousand tons of the total. The companies that operate in that niche must grow from 10% to 15% this year, according to Fonseca.
Most of the premium chocolate consumed in Brazil, however, is imported. In the case of Lindt, which opened in July its first store in Brazil in Sao Paulo. The retail entrance was designed by a joint venture set up in March by Switzerland and the Brazilian company CRM, owner of the Kopenhagen. The Abicab mapped 3.2 thousand premium chocolate shops in the country this year and predicts the segment more than double in size by 2020, with 7.3 million units.