Kontos Foods, Inc., a U.S.- based manufacturer and distributor of traditional artisan breads and Mediterranean specialty foods, announced that as part of its ongoing effort to expand the company’s global footprint, it will take part in an international market trade mission to São Paulo, Brazil, from May 2 through 5.
In conjunction with FoodExport Northeast, a government-funded organization that supports the growth of U.S. food exports, Kontos will participate in a four-day program gathering market intelligence, taking part in pre-arranged one-on-one meetings with buyers and exhibiting its products at APAS—The International Exhibition for Supermarkets. At APAS, Kontos will showcase nearly its entire range of offerings, including its over 50 varieties of Flatbread as well as Fillo dough and pre-prepared Fillo appetizers, and desserts.
“This market mission is a great opportunity for Kontos Foods to not only connect with buyers of mutual interest, but also gain insight into the culture and tastes of the Brazilian people,” says Warren Stoll, Director of Marketing at Kontos Foods and leader of the market mission. “FoodExport Northeast has been an invaluable partner in Kontos Foods’ effort to expand its global footprint, in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas.”
Kontos Foods will be highlighting its “Made in the USA” products at the USA booth, including the new Kontos Rustics Collection Tandoori-style Naan bread in original and garlic flavors and two-piece Kontos Pizza Parlor Crust in a re-sealable, Ziploc bag.
“Worldwide, home cooks are embracing artisan flatbreads and Mediterranean specialty products, and Brazil is no exception. We are excited to meet retail buyers in Brazil to show them our range of offerings to suit every taste,” adds Steve Kontos, vice president of Kontos Foods. “Latin America is an exciting new market for Kontos, adding to our already robust list of export regions, including East Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Canada, and the Caribbean. “
Growing the export business was the vision of Steve Kontos in 2013, when he tasked Warren Stoll, a former global marketing veteran from Unilever, and Kontos Foods’ Global Sales Director Doug Werts, formerly of Nestle, with expanding the company’s global sales. In the past two years, they led participation in other market missions with regional focus, including events in Japan, Dubai, Germany, and Canada.
“At Unilever, I spent significant time and resources building market share in Brazil. Those experiences, along with our current Kontos research about Brazilian shopping habits, provide us with the deep consumer insight we need to target the right products and packaging to Brazilian shoppers,” adds Stoll.
In addition to the new Tandoori Naan, Cocktail Flatbread and 2-piece Pizza Parlor Crust products, APAS visitors will see over 50 varieties of artisan breads, such as Kontos Foods’ top-selling Pocket-Less Pita, the traditional pita of the Eastern Mediterranean; Greek Lifestyle Flatbread, which has 2x Protein, half the carbohydrates, fewer calories and less sugar than other Flatbreads; Kontos’ Panini breads; Indian and Asian Nans and Lavash bread.
Kontos sells its products to retailers and foodservice establishments across North America and several other countries. For more information, please visit www.kontos.com.
