Brazilian Fisheries Minister Visits Marel HQ

The visit came as part of a three-day visit to Iceland, which saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministries of Fisheries of the two countries, and included calls on several of the countrys leading fisheries research organisations, academic institutions and commercial companies.

The minister and his delegation were accompanied on a tour of the Garabr facility by Ptur Gujnsson, managing director international sales, global key account manager Sverrir Gumundsson, regional business manager Sigurjn Elasson and fish industry marketing manager Stella Bjrg Kristinsdttir.

Speaking during his visit, the minister said: Although Brazil is well known as a major producer of meat and poultry, our fisheries sector still has a very long way to go to reach its potential. To help it do so, a dedicated fisheries ministry was created in 2009.

"As well as ocean species, freshwater fishing is an activity of increasing importance. The countrys sheer size means it has a wide range of microclimates, which in turn create a wide diversity of species. Shellfish is also another area of huge potential, particularly shrimp.

While on-going improvements in infrastructure have led to a rise in exports of food and other goods, our population of 190 million also serves to create a huge internal market. During the last 10 years, government measures aimed at reducing poverty have seen the middle class rise by 30 million in number, resulting in a corresponding increase in consumption of animal protein. Over the next few years, we hope to double this figure," he added.

Brazil is a growing market in which Marel has been active for some years. The company operates a production facility in Piracicaba and a sales facility in Curitiba, while this spring of this year saw the launch of a dedicated Brazilian website.