Brazillian co-operatives reported a strong year in 2013, collectively achieving a trade balance of USD $5.6bn. A report by the Ministry of Development, Industry and External Trade confirmed that co-operatives also increased exports from 1.7% in 2007 to 2.5% in 2013.
Imports have also increased by 0.4%, as the foreign purchases of co-operatives increased from USD $395m in 2012 to USD $396.7m in 2013. Brazilian co-operatives have also managed to reach a wider variety of markets, with products reaching 143 different states in 2013 as opposed to 128 in 2012. The biggest customer was China, with sales worth USD $933.9m representing 15.4% of the total, followed by the US (10.9%), United Arab Emirates (7.8%), Netherlands (6.5%) and Germany (6%).
The Central Marketing Extractive Cooperative of Acre (Cooperacre) is one of the enterprises producing goods for export. Cooperacre has over two million members across the 10 municipals of the state of Acre and produces agricultural products for export.
Another co-operative that focuses on exporting agricultural products is Cocajupi (Central Cooperative of Cashew Producers of the state of Piuaí), which sells its products to supermarkets and has reached the Fairtrade market in Italy as well. The important contribution of both co-operatives is mentioned in the ministerial report. The co-operative was selected to sell cashew nuts and derivatives in host cities for the World Cup. This means they will increase production to five tons.
The most exported products was refined sugar, with sales of USD $1.004,2m (16.5%). Soybeans were the second most important sold item by agricultural co-operatives, accounting for USD $771.4m or 12.7% of the total.
“This result shows that co-operatives have ensured their market share", said the president of the Organisation of Brazilian Co-operatives (OCB), Márcio Lopes de Freitas. "The products coming from our co-operatives have been more and more valued, occupying the shelves of Brazil and from all over the world. Certainly, 2014 will be much better," said the president of the Organisation of Brazilian Co-operatives (OCB), Márcio Lopes de Freitas.
Photo: Cooperacre producers.
