Vitasti to tap functional water market
thanks to a joint venture with an unnamed beverage manufacturer.
Vancouver, BC-based Vitasti announced this week that it has signed a letter of intent with a 'leading' beverage maker to develop and launch Amazon Acai Vita Waters containing acai berry supplied by Sambazon - a move that president Tammy-Lynne McNabb said will enable it to penetrate the market quickly and take advantage of its partner's existing infrastructure and distribution network.
The joint venture partners are certainly wasting no time. They plan to roll out the beverage initially in Asia in early 2006.
"This is also a multiple-billion-dollar market that can't be ignored. Our joint venture relationship will allow us to piggy back our product into an already established distribution channel," said McNabb.
Private label also represents a large opportunity for acai products, and the company says it is currently in discussions with retailers in the US and UK for private label.
"We recognize that the private label sector is growing. Total sales of private label products now exceeds $50 billion and rising and we want to position Vitasti to realize opportunities in this area," McNabb said.
Acai berries are native to Brazil and are said to have a fatty-acid ratio similar to olive oil and to be loaded with antioxidants, minerals and protein.
Earlier this year Vitasti introduced an Acai berry hot granola product. It also makes a range of Carb Craver products, aimed at the low-carbohydrate market.
