Brazilian seafood processors pumping $39 million into upgrades, expansion
A growing list of seafood investments in northeast states could bring much needed employment.
Investments in seafood production and processing facilities totaling nearly BRL 215 million (€32 million/$39 million) are in the pipeline for the Brazilian northeast state of Bahia, the state government said.
Heading the list of projects forecasted to create 1,300 direct and indirect jobs is a BRL 200 million (€30 million/$36 million) investment by Ocean Grown Brazil Criacao de Peixes e Crustaceos, which is putting down roots in the city of Ilheus.
The company’s production site will focus on whole and headless fish, fillets and offal.
The project is expected to have a 4,200 metric-ton production capacity and create 75 jobs in the first five years of operation. Processing will be carried out on demand or via third parties at the site.
Peixaria Brasil, being built at Lauro de Freitas, is backed by an investment of BRL 12.6 million (€1.9 million/$2.3 million). The site, which is due to start operations in the second half of 2021, should generate around 100 jobs.
In Feira de Santana, Porto Frio Comercio e Armazenagem is investing BRL 2 million (€300,000 /$365,000) in the installation of a frozen fish plant, which is expected to create 76 jobs when it opens in four years.
By the second half of this year, another 80 jobs could be added to the existing 258 for tilapia byproducts producer Agrofish, which is strategically located close to Rio Francisco, Bahia's main tilapia producing area.
Following an investment of BRL 1.2 million (€179,655/$218,509), the company is shipping tilapia skin and scales to Japan and China. The site also produces chilled and frozen tilapia fillets, minced tilapia meat, headless and peeled shrimp as well as fishmeal.
A production capacity of 7,000 metric tons of fish (2,100 fillets) for the first two years is forecast to increase to 9,600 by 2023.
Bahia is blessed with abundant marine and freshwater raw material sources.
In 2019 the state produced 26,600 metric tons of tilapia and 5,202 metric tons of native fish.
The fish sector is important for the economy of the regions because at the same time as it creating jobs, it lifts the state's revenue.
"When producing fish in Bahia, the sector encourages small and large regional farmers,” said Deputy Governor Joao Leao, who doubles as the state's secretary for economic development.
The company, which landed in Brazil in 2010, has put in place a BRL 100 million (€16.2 million/$19.7 million) program of investments running from 2020-2025.
Included among slated investments are an upgrade to the company's plant in the northeast state of Ceara, a new canning plant, feed production facility, fishmeal plant and an expansion of existing processing capacity.
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