The major campaign to promote Azorean products in Continente supermarket chain started Tuesday and involves 22 shops. It will reach a potential of 4.5 consumers in Mainland Portugal.
 
For the Vice-President of the Government, who spoke in Lisbon during the launch of the campaign, the initiative will "significantly boost" the visibility and demand for Azorean products. It will also "stimulate production level and promote what is essential, i.e., added value products as well as products featuring the Region's endogenous resources, which contribute to employment creation."
 
"If the option to consume Azorean products in the Region to create for Azoreans, the consumption of Azorean products here represents a quality assurance and certification by nature," said the government official.
 
Sérgio Avila stressed that the partnership established between the Government of the Azores and SONAE "does not represent any burden to the Region," adding that, from the company's perspective, "a demonstration of the value of Azorean products and their ability to generate added to large commercial establishments."
 
"Last year, SONAE bought Azorean products amounting to 138 million Euros and this year purchase 150 million Euros in products. We expected that, within two years, it will reach 200 million Euros, which clearly demonstrates the value and growing importance of Azorean products," said the Vice-President.
 
Sérgio Ávila also stressed that the campaign that has just begun and will be extend until October 3 "is followed by the promotion of the Azores Brand in national markets," thus covering thus an even greater number of consumers.
 
"The success and interest of the Azores Brand have led us to replicate this initiative in other major supply chains across the country," the Vice-President said, adding that the respective agreements are under preparation, being identical to the one that has been signed with SONAE in order to strengthen the promotion of 1,400 products that already bear the Azores Brand seal.