March 22, 2006
Food business to grow this year

(El Universal) - "A growth of about 4.5 percent in 2006 is expected in the food-processing sector, Pablo Baraybar, the head of the Venezuelan Chamber of Food Industries (Cavidea,) reported.

Also, he explained that a 7.5 percent increase in food consumption recorded last January shows a hike in procurement of protein products, such as beef or poultry, and a concurrent decrease in consumption of cereals.

This upward trend prevailed late 2005, with 6.5 and 2 percent for protein products and cereals, respectively.

According to Baraybar, 'growing income has an influence on changing consumption standards.'

He explained that the lack of sardines affects directly the protein diet as it results in consumption of other type of food with similar nutrition values".