The State of Ceará has passed for an undisputed process of transformation in its economy. The Government of the State’s politics of attraction of new investments, that, since the beginning of the last decade, provides the installation of new units in the scope of the industry, irrigated agriculture and, more recently, tourism, with the accomplished participation of the entrepreneurs and the class entities support, is a determinative factor for the materialization of the moment that the State of Ceará’s economy lives in the new milennium.

The Ceará is placing itself in a pro-active way in the reorganization of its economy, in a way that already is in 1st position in the exportation of fruits, in 3rd position in the exportation of the textile sector, in 3rd position in the sector of leathers and footwear, and in 4th position as entrance door of tourists.

In terms of international trade, one another profile is configured. New products are exported, as captivity shrimp, cool bee honey, fruits and ornamental rocks, in special granite. The conquest of new markets, as the axle of European countries and Latin America, constitutes, together with the North American market, the biggest buyers of the state of Ceará’s products. Worth to register that the exportations position for European Union presents a growth trend.

The Ceará’s economy is structured on the farm-industrial production and the commerce.

Industry

In the industrial sector the textile staple fibre transformations, confections, footwear, foods, metallurgy and chemistry are distinguished. Of the industrial products, the textiles and confections present greater dynamism and attraction of new investments in the State.

In exportations guideline, are distinguished the chestnut-of-cashew almond, lobster, pargo, shrimp, cantaloups, textiles products and confections.

Tourism

In view of the favorable geographic position and the climate, relief and natural environment, the Government of the Ceará is investing in infrastructure conditions improvement, to make the tourism development easier.

Farm and Cattle Raising

The highlighted characteristic of the State of Ceará’s farming is the competitiveness of the native species, with detach for cashew, cotton, lobster, shrimp and cassava, among others.

Agriculture

In agriculture is also significant the importance of rice, beans, sugar cane, maize, mamona, tomatoe, banana, orange, coconut and cantaloups.

In front of the strong insolation characteristics during all the year, the tropical fruits as acerola, cashew, sleeve, cantaloups, papaya, banana and grape among others, present organoleptical quality, concentrating high tax of soluble solids and vitamins.

Cattle

The State’s flock was composed in 1994, of 2,18 million heads of bovines, 1,19 swine million, 1,08 million goat, 1,33 million ovines and 19,68 million birds. The poultry keeping is currently the most organized and dynamic activity, with continuous growth in the last 15 years.

More recently, it was initiated in Ceará, the creation of lobster in captivity, an activity that must receive new adepts. The fish production corresponded to 6,023 tons of lobster, 1,702 tons of shrimp, 16,022 tons of sea fish and 1,862 tons of dam fish, in the same year.

Extractivism

Ceará makes use of mineral water, deposits of iron, calcareous rock, clay, beryl, magnesium, granite, oil, natural gas, Uranian and phosphate sources.

Chestnut-of-Cashew

Beyond the nutritional and medicinal qualities contained in the originary cashew-chestnut, its exotic flavor became popular throughout the years. It’s widely appreciated in all countries of the world, for the accompaniment of drinks or in the sophisticated aperitif composition.

It can be processed for the juice elaboration, honey, wine and liquor, beyond also being industrially used to candies, ices cream, chocolates, etc., production..

The cashew tree is a native brazilian northeast’s tree, introduced into other countries as India and Moçambique, by the Portuguese settlers.

These two countries, together with Brazil, are responsible for 80% of the world-wide chestnut-of-cashew production. Brazil participates with 35% of this total and exports 90% of its production. The Northeast Region is responsible for 99% of the national production of chestnut-of-cashew, that comes to 1,2 million tons per year, and the State of the Ceará answers for 48% of this total.

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STATE OF CEARÁ GENERAL DATA

Local hour: -3GMT
Area (2002): 148.825,6 km ²
Population (2004): 7.976.563 million
Number of cities: 184
Demographic density (2004): 53,60 hab/km ²
Capital: Fortaleza
Annual average temperature
Coast: 27ºC
Mountain ranges: 22ºC
Hinterland: 33ºC

Source: IBGE - Geography and Statistics’ Brazilian Institute

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT OF MARKET PRICE
The total GIP (R$ million): 24,204
The per capita GIP (R$): 3,129

Source: IBGE - Geography and Statistics’ Brazilian Institute and State Researches.

SECTORIAL STRUCTURE OF THE GIP (%)
Farming (1998): 6,1
Industry (1998): 36,8
Services (1998): 57,1

Source: IBGE - Geography and Statistics’ Brazilian Institute and State Researches.

TRADE BALANCE (US$ THOUSAND FOB)
Exportations (2004): 859,369,027
Importation (2004): 573,590,044
Balance (2004): 285,778,983

Source: MDIC - Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign commerce

TOURISM
Number of tourist through Fortaleza: 1,550,857
Lodging ways in Fortaleza: 224

Source: SETUR - Secretary of Tourism of the State of the Ceará

Limits
East: States of Rio Grande do Norte and Paraíba
South: State of Pernambuco
West: State of the Piauí
North: Bathed by the Atlantic Ocean in an extension of 573 km with little cutted cost, where appear coastal plains and beaches covered by dunes of singular beauty.