Reserva de Minas is one of Brazil’s most renowned manufacturers and exporters of traditional artisanal sweets, particularly doce de leite (milk caramel) and fruit preserves. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Machado, Minas Gerais, the company has built its reputation on delivering premium-quality products that combine artisanal tradition with industrial-scale production.
Core Business
Reserva de Minas specializes in:
- Producing traditional Minas Gerais sweets, focusing on doce de leite, goiabada (guava paste), and fruit preserves.
- Offering zero-sugar product lines for health-conscious consumers.
- Supplying both the retail and foodservice sectors with a wide range of products in diverse packaging formats.
- Exporting authentic Brazilian sweets to international markets, sharing Minas Gerais’ culinary heritage worldwide.
Product and Service Offerings
Key product categories include:
- Doce de Leite Line: Traditional, with coconut, zero sugar, Argentine-style (foodservice bulk).
- Fruit Sweets: Goiabada cascão, cidra preserves, laranja (orange) in syrup.
- Geleias (Jams): Strawberry, guava, and other flavors, including sugar-free options.
- Foodservice Line: Bulk doce de leite (9.8kg), creamy coconut dessert (5kg), ideal for bakeries, restaurants, and confectionery producers.
- Zero Sugar Line: Catering to diabetic and low-sugar diet markets.
The company services retail channels, e-commerce, and industrial clients, offering customized packaging solutions.
Specialization and Core USP
Reserva de Minas’ unique strengths include:
- Artisanal quality at industrial scale, preserving traditional Minas Gerais flavors with modern food safety and efficiency.
- Strong focus on innovation, with sugar-free and low-sugar formulations responding to market trends.
- Leadership in the bulk foodservice segment, providing large-format, high-quality sweet products to professional kitchens.
- A robust national distribution network, making Reserva de Minas a household name across Brazil.
Financials
Based on industry estimates and available market data:
- Annual revenue exceeds BRL 50 million (~USD 10 million).
- Exports represent approximately 10–15% of total sales, with shipments to Latin America, the United States, and Europe.
- Production capacity: over 1,500 metric tons of sweets annually.
- Annual growth rate of 12–18% over the past five years, driven by product line diversification and international market expansion.
Shipment Data
According to export records and trade data:
- Over 200 export shipments in the last two years.
- Main export destinations include the United States, Portugal, Spain, Chile, and Argentina.
- Annual export value estimated at USD 1.5–2 million.
- National distribution reaches over 5,000 retail points across Brazil, from supermarkets to specialty stores.
Target Market
Reserva de Minas serves:
- Retail consumers looking for authentic Minas Gerais sweets.
- Health-conscious customers seeking sugar-free traditional desserts.
- Foodservice clients, including bakeries, restaurants, and hotels.
- International gourmet and ethnic food distributors targeting Brazilian diaspora and specialty food markets.
Its premium products appeal to both mass-market buyers and gourmet food lovers.
Capabilities
Reserva de Minas operates:
- A modern 20,000 m² production facility equipped with advanced cooking, filling, and packaging lines.
- In-house R&D and quality control laboratories ensuring flavor consistency, food safety, and regulatory compliance.
- Dedicated logistics and export departments managing both domestic and international shipments.
- A staff of over 150 employees, including food technologists, production specialists, and export managers.
Certifications and Compliance
Reserva de Minas holds:
- SIF (Serviço de Inspeção Federal) certification for national and international sales.
- ISO 22000 certification for food safety management.
- Compliance with FDA (United States) and EU food safety requirements.
- Participation in sustainability initiatives promoting responsible sourcing and waste reduction.
Customer Testimonials
A São Paulo retailer shared:
“Reserva de Minas’ doce de leite is one of our best-selling products — the balance of artisanal flavor and reliable supply makes them a top supplier.”
An export distributor commented:
“Their products consistently meet the strict quality and taste expectations of our international customers.”
Major Achievements
- Recognized as one of Brazil’s top three doce de leite producers by production volume.
- Achieved over 1,500 metric tons of sweets produced annually.
- Launched a successful zero sugar product line, capturing a growing share of the health-focused market.
- Expanded international exports by 30% between 2021 and 2023.
Reserva de Minas continues to elevate Brazil’s traditional sweets industry, combining passion for heritage with a modern approach to innovation, production, and global market reach.
