Canned tuna. (Photo: StockFile)
Starting this week, the state of Ceará has the first factory of canned tuna and sardines in the northeast region of Brazil.
With an investment of more than BRL 20 million (USD 8.5 million), this venture is the result of the association of the enterprises R&B Aquicultura and Crusoe Foods do Brasil, belonging to Jealsa.
The factory, set up in the province of São Gonçalo do Amarante, has the capacity to produce about 10 million cans of fish every month, which will be marketed under the brand Robinson Crusoe.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MPA), Eduardo Lopes; and Jesus Alonso, president of the Spanish group Jealsa.
According to Lopes, the factory will allow fishermen to have more motivation to produce and invest in the fisheries sector.
"Everyone knows that this factory will be able to absorb a lot of the fish caught and that will be a safe harbor for the productive sector," the minister said.
Furthermore, he stressed that the new plant provides a good opportunity to renew the fleet, increase productivity and reduce waste.
And he announced that the new 'Harvest Plan' -- which will be launched in 2015 -- provides better credit lines for the modernization of the fishing fleet.
Ceará canned product factory will generate 400 direct jobs, of which 90 per cent will be held by women, as they are considered skilled at handling and cutting fish.
It will also provide jobs in other areas, taking into account the necessary inputs such as tomato sauce, soy oil, cans and packaging. The inputs will be purchased in Ceará and in other northeastern states.
Fabiano Lima, fishing engineer and partner in this initiative, stressed that "technology is being transferred from Europe to Brazil" while Max Mapuranga, partner from Ceará of the Spanish group, stated the project "will rescue the fishing activity and the seafood industry from Ceará."
For its part, the Federal Superintendent of Fisheries and Aquaculture of Ceará, Emanuel Simões, hoped that this plant will encourage fishermen and vessel owners to sell its porduction in the state.
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