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NEW YORK, June 24, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- While 83 percent of Americans enjoy at least one cup of coffee every day, nearly 80 percent do not know where their coffee comes from, according to a recent survey of more than 7,000 U.S. adults, conducted by Apex-Brasil (the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency)*. In fact, only 21 percent of respondents correctly identified Brazil as the world's leading exporter of coffee, underscoring that perhaps most Americans underestimate Brazil's vital role in global food production.

As part of its effort to raise awareness of the important role of Brazil in food production and exportation, Apex-Brasil is pleased to announce that it has helped bring 34 Brazilian companies to participate in this year's Summer Fancy Food Show, the largest specialty food industry event in North America and the premier showcase for industry innovation, taking place June 23-25 at the Javits Center in New York City. These companies represent various high-quality specialty foods produced and exported by Brazil, including coffee, chocolate, and tropical fruits.  

"It's our hope that the Fancy Food Show attendees will experience Brazil's delicious foods firsthand and learn more about Brazil's unique culinary culture," said Fernando Spohr, Operations Manager for Apex-Brasil in North America. "Fancy Food, which is the largest and arguably most important showcase of specialty foods in North America, provides an excellent opportunity for Brazilian companies to correct misconceptions, not just about coffee but also about other foods that are exported and produced in Brazil, and elevate Brazil's international reputation as a leader in the area of gourmet and specialty foods."

Brazil is the largest net food exporter in the world, ranking among the top five producers of 36 agricultural products, according to the book The Economics and Organization of Brazilian Agriculture. Spread across five climatic zones (equatorial, tropical, semi-arid, oceanic, and subtropical), Brazil has ideal, compatible and complementary environments for farming a variety of raw materials, livestock and tropical fruit.

With over 2,600 exhibitors and 200,000+ specialty food and beverages, the annual Fancy Food Show offers a venue for international companies to connect with an American audience of consumers and buyers/suppliers. This is the third year Apex-Brasil has participated in this important food show, and the 34 companies scheduled to participate as part of the Brazilian Pavilion at the event represent Brazil's numerous key agricultural products, which include orange juice, coffee, soy, sugar, beef, chicken, corn, and pork. In particular, Apex-Brasil has chosen to highlight the following five products throughout the conference in New York:

• Coffee: Brazil is the largest coffee producer in the world, exporting an estimated 22 trillion beans (or 5,714,381,000 pounds) a year to over 127 countries. To meet the global demand, Brazil houses over 300,000 coffee farms throughout the country.
• Chocolate: Brazilian chocolates are world-renowned for their quality, creative and sustainable production. Nugali Chocolates, which will be present at the Fancy Foods Show, won gold, silver, and bronze medals at the International Chocolate Awards in 2018.
• Cassava: Often called "yuca" in the U.S., cassava is deeply steeped in Brazilian culinary history and is an ingredient in many traditional Brazilian dishes. Attendees of Fancy Food will have an opportunity to learn more about cassava from Brazilian chef Robson Lemos, who will be onsite at Fancy Food to talk about culinary specialties that are unique to Brazil.
• Tapioca: Extracted from the roots of cassava plants, tapioca is a starch used in a wide variety of Brazilian breads, desserts and more. In 2018, Brazil exported nearly $4 million worth of hydrated tapioca.
• Açai: Açai's high levels of antioxidants have earned the fruit the coveted title of a "superfood." In 2018 alone, Brazil exported about $29 million worth of açai, with $20 million destined for the U.S. specifically.  

Each of the 34 Brazilian companies onsite at Fancy Food will be distributing free food samples to attendees, in addition to several having chef-led cooking presentations. For a full list of Brazilian companies scheduled to attend, please click here.

*Methodology: Apex-Brasil's survey was conducted online within the United States by Suzy on June 4-5, 01, 2019 with 7,276 U.S. adults, ages 18 to 73. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

About Apex-Brasil
The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotions Agency (Apex-Brasil) acts to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. Apex-Brasil carries out diversified commercial promotion actions and works with public and private actors to develop the competitiveness of Brazilian companies and the country at large.

Media Contacts
Felipe Martins Campbell
Apex Brasil
felipe.campbell@apexbrasil.com.br 
+55 (61) 2027.0394

YeaJin Lee
Ruder Finn – PR on behalf of Apex-Brasil in the U.S.
LeeY@ruderfinn.com 
931.237.1531

SOURCE Apex-Brasil