A short talk with Guillherm Pereira, Portugal Bugs founder
Hi Guillherm, how are you? How are things going on regarding the edible insects market development in Portugal?
Hello Lorenzo, I’m fine thank you. Well things are going pretty good. Recently portuguese authorities finally adopted the transitional measures that allow us to sell insects for human consumption. This is a major step for all companies that want to work with insects in Portugal and I hope this allow us to increase production capacities to start working more globally.
What about the development of your own project Portugal Bugs, anything new?
Well, since the last time we spoke, Portugal Bugs changed a little bit. We got specialized in breeding mealworms and cricket and we are now focusing all our efforts to develop insect food products since we want to be a reference in the european market. In the beginning of August we launched our products in the major retailer here in Portugal and the acceptance from the consummer is being really good.
This step is making us want to move faster to launch new products and to start trying to reach more retailers in all Europe.
Is this the first step towards the mainstream marketing, or you see other obstacoles?
This recent launch of our products in the major retailer here in Portugal is our first step towards mainstream marketing, we really believe that this will allow us to take insect food products to more consumers and getting into the shelves will turn insect food products more common.
Although, we know that there is still a big long road to make insect food products totally mainstream and common, but we have a plan and we really believe we are ready to change the consumers perception of edible insects.
Are you working with insects/flour authorized under the EU Novel Food Regulation?
Yes we are working with insect/flour authorized under EU Novel Food Regulation and we are buying European dried insects.
What are your plan for the next three years?
For the next three years, in Portugal Bugs we expect to reach more retailers through all Europe with a larger range of insect food products. Also we are exploring the possibility of launching our own production facility and starting producing mealworms and crickets.
