HÀ NỘI — The Vietnamese Trade Office in Argentina held a meeting Cordillera Brewing Co., to discuss opportunities to import Vietnamese goods and develop distribution networks in Argentina and other Latin American markets, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said on Wednesday.

At the meeting, Gabriel Airoli, a representative of Cordillera Brewing Co., introduced Cordillera Brewing's operations and outlined plans to expand its import, processing and distribution of agricultural products, food and beverages.

The company expressed particular interest in Vietnamese coffee, especially green coffee beans for roasting operations in Argentina, Panama and Uruguay.

Argentina relies entirely on imports for coffee, while its coffee market is estimated at about US$135 million this year and is growing at around 5 per cent annually, according to the ministry.

Cordillera Brewing is also looking for Vietnamese suppliers of cashews, pepper, cinnamon, star anise and other spices, as well as natural rubber, bamboo and rattan products, handicrafts and processed food.

The company said that while demand for beer, wine and some alcoholic beverages is declining, demand for premium coffee, processed food, dried fruit, nuts and other value-added products is continuing to grow, opening significant opportunities for Vietnamese goods.

The two sides agreed to maintain information exchanges, promote business matchmaking and gradually develop trade cooperation to expand the presence of Vietnamese products in Argentina, Panama, Uruguay and Cuba. — VNS