Chocolate factories bemoan 9.97% reduction in productions

The chocolate industry in Brazil felt 9.97% reduction of production in the first quarter of 2015, according to figures released yesterday by the Associação Brasileira da Indústria de Chocolates, cocoa, peanuts, hard candies and derivatives (Abicab).
According to the entity, in the period were produced 122.9 million pounds of chocolate, expected result due to the economic downturn felt in all sectors of industry.
"This quarter was difficult. The crisis moved and in the pocket of the consumer. The increase in inflation, the dollar and the high price of fuel and the new taxes are the main factors that affected the industry's performance, "said in a statement the Vice President of Chocolates of Abicab, Dan Franco.
According to the Association, the low performance of the sector has been perceived two years ago. In 2013 and in 2014, the falls in production were 2.11% and 3.49%, respectively, signaling the troubled moment.
According to Fonseca, there is little expectation of a recovery from the second quarter of this year. "Even so, the result of 2015 should be negative, but in a smaller volume than the verified in the first three months," said the note.