How Does Camil Alimentos Company Work?

The company's core operations involve the entire food product lifecycle, from sourcing raw materials to delivering finished goods. This integrated approach ensures control over quality and efficiency throughout the value chain.

Camil Alimentos manages a diverse portfolio of essential food products, including rice, beans, sugar, coffee, and pasta. These are marketed under a strong stable of leading brands recognized across South America.

The company's operational backbone consists of 33 processing units and 28 distribution centers strategically located across South America. This extensive network supports efficient logistics and market reach.

Camil Alimentos emphasizes robust supply chain management, working with approximately 6,000 active suppliers across its operating countries. The company spent over R$9 billion on suppliers during the 2023/24 harvest, highlighting its commitment to local sourcing and agricultural partnerships.

Camil Alimentos has strategically diversified its portfolio through key acquisitions. The company entered the pasta market in Brazil with the acquisition of Santa Amália in August 2021 and expanded into the coffee sector with investments in Café Bom ক্ষুধা and Agro Coffee in December 2021.

Further strengthening its position in the wheat chain, Camil acquired Mabel and the licensing rights for the Toddy brand for cookies in August 2022. This move marked a significant entry into the biscuit market, broadening its product offerings.

Internationally, Camil has expanded its rice operations into Uruguay (Saman, 2007), Chile, Peru, and Ecuador. The acquisition of Empresas Iansa's Pet Food Business Unit in Chile in February 2020 represented a strategic diversification into the pet food market.

In April 2025, Camil Alimentos continued its international expansion by taking over Paraguayan rice miller Latin Lawyer. This move further solidifies its presence in key South American agricultural markets.

Camil Alimentos is a dominant player in the South American food sector. In Brazil, it leads the rice market with a 9% share and is second in beans with a 4% share. The company also dominates the refined sugar market with a 39% share and has significant presence in canned fish and pasta. Internationally, Camil commands substantial market shares in Uruguay (48% rice), Chile (30% rice), and Peru (29% rice), showcasing its broad regional influence.

The company faces several risks, including the volatility of commodity prices, which directly impacts its cost of goods sold. Intense competition in domestic markets, particularly for sugar, can affect volumes and profitability. Logistics costs, regional disruptions like floods, regulatory changes, and evolving consumer preferences also present ongoing challenges for Camil Alimentos operations.

Camil Alimentos is focused on consolidating its position as a leader in the South American food industry. Its strategy involves expanding brand leadership and pursuing strategic acquisitions. The company is also investing in operational efficiency and its supply chain, with a new biomass cogeneration plant set to boost renewable energy in 2025.

Future growth is expected from leveraging underutilized capacity in categories like pasta, biscuits, and coffee. Camil Alimentos aims to sustain and expand its profitability through organic growth, strategic mergers and acquisitions, and continuous improvement in its operational and ESG practices. Understanding Camil Alimentos's market strategy is key to appreciating its forward-looking approach.