Serving the hydro power and dam construction industries since 1949 The floating solar plant will feature eighteen solar islands using platforms designed to boost energy output from bifacial solar panels These platforms reflect sunlight to maximize energy production Tigo’s optimizers will provide module-level monitoring The TS4-X-O MLPE devices can support high-power solar modules up to 800 watts and are essential for optimizing the energy produced on the water Apollo Flutuantes CEO José Alves Teixeira Filho commented: “The optimization technology from Tigo is crucial to this project because we need electrical safety on the water because it allows us to get the absolute most energy production out of the bifacial modules and because we can see exactly what is happening on each of the modules With rapid shutdown through optimizer technology we can isolate specific portions of the system to safely address issues without having to shut the entire operation down This project serves as an important example to replicate across Brazil as our solar installations and ambitions get bigger and bigger.” includes patented features for wireless and PLC communication supporting integration with various inverters “This project brings yet another large-scale Tigo system into our portfolio joining hundreds of monitored systems between 500kW and 5MW,” said Jing Tian “As both the size and number of solar systems increase the amount of data they produce requires advanced monitoring and analysis software from Tigo and the entire Brazilian market in this capacity.” Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights View all newsletters from across the Progressive Media network © Business Trade Media International Limited ← → When Lucas George Wendt arrived in Lajeado in late May the peaks of roofs and the tops of trees were some of the only things visible above the murky brown water that had covered his hometown was one of the communities hit hardest by the historic flooding that tore through Brazil’s southernmost state Backhoes were scooping mud from blocked roads city workers were clearing sidewalks with pressure washers and volunteers were sorting through donations of clothing he had heard about a Univates mapping project led by researcher Sofia Royer Moraes an environmental engineer who studies extreme flooding events in the Taquari-Antas River Basin leaving the region to deal with the worst flooding in 82 years the displacement of at least 359,000 people Residents of the Taquari Valley were used to dealing with annual flooding Studies showed that climate change had worsened the flood which meant that future floods would bring even more deaths Subscribe to the E360 Newsletter for weekly updates delivered to your inbox. Sign Up It was then that Moraes decided she could do something to help. She created what is known as a Citizen Map using Google Maps as a platform for ordinary people using their smartphones to pinpoint the floodwaters’ reach These so-called citizen scientists were instructed to take photos of what they saw and send them to a WhatsApp group monitored by Moraes and her team Combining that information with historic flood data from the area the team could model what might happen during future floods helping residents who had already lost everything to decide where it would be safest to rebuild their lives The models could also give authorities the information they needed for better urban planning and allocation of resources Wendt snapped photos of everything he thought would benefit the Citizen Map: a white cross smeared with mud where a church once stood; a lone house standing among pieces of hundreds of others that had washed away; markings on a wall in the city center that registered the water’s height Wendt’s more than 20 data points collected at the end of May are now among the more than 600 on the constantly updated Citizen Map a contribution he knew would help others but that he was surprised to see helped him as well “It helped me understand all of these connections,” he said what is the impact that’s going to have downriver Someone who participates in this type of citizen science initiative ends up being more aware and more empowered to deal with this type of situation we know we can expect more of in the near future.” the team behind the Citizen Map wants Brazilian authorities to use this data to rethink everything from urban planning and post-disaster recovery to the availability of health care and clean drinking water in the aftermath of climate-change-induced catastrophes They also hope that by educating people about what’s going on around them they’ll not only become more interested and invested in participating in solutions to local flooding but also feel prepared to face what’s to come Experts have attributed the severity of the recent flooding in southern Brazil to human-driven climate change. An analysis carried out by researchers at the Pierre Simon Laplace Institute’s Climate and Environmental Sciences Laboratory showed that extreme weather events in Rio Grande do Sul that occurred between 2001 and 2023 delivered up to 15 percent more precipitation than events that occurred between 1979 and 2001 A recent study also found that “the highly densely populated regions [in] Southern and Southeastern Brazil as well as the coastal section of Northeast Brazil are the most exposed to landslides and floods,” and that these impacts will continue to worsen with more warming and increased the intensity of the rainfall between 6 and 9 percent The first record-setting flood to wash out the Taquari Valley and other parts of Rio Grande do Sul took place in 1941 The only record of the floodwaters’ height was a mark scratched into the wall of a school “That memory is isolated there,” says Wendt of the marker “It doesn’t contribute as much as it could if it had happened nowadays The first Citizen Map that Moraes created last September collected data only on the perimeter of the affected area to determine what parts of the Taquari Valley would be considered at high risk of future flooding Around 600 data points were sent in by 150 citizen scientists How an El Niño-driven drought brought hunger to southern Africa. Read more Some neighborhoods that participated heavily in mapping the September floods haven’t been involved in creating the new map but that’s likely because those areas are still difficult to access And while the state continues to recover from the emergency — it initially focused on saving people and animals from fast-moving waters and collapsing buildings and is now setting people up in shelters and other more permanent housing — data collection is expected to be slow The Citizen Map is currently very simple and powered by Google, but the team plans to partner with the the open-mapping nonprofit Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team to improve the visuals of their final product “We want our map to be as easy to understand as possible to make sure it can be used by anyone who wants to consult it to keep themselves safe and make the best decisions possible for their future.” when the second of this year’s three rain and flood episodes began in Rio Grande do Sul (the other two were on April 29 and May 13) Moraes and her team had to move out of the university building where they worked a local radio station that gave them space to work and talked about their project on the air providing its WhatsApp number for anyone who wanted to send data or ask questions Some 200 people sent their locations to the Citizen Map team on May 2 and the team spent all afternoon and night analyzing data to determine who was in or near an area of risk and who ought to evacuate information on what was happening farther upstream was crucial in making such decisions “I really support citizen science initiatives because they are exactly what people need to learn and feel empowered,” says Marta Angela Marcondes an expert in water resources and coordinator of the Water Pollutant Index Project at the Municipal University of São Caetano do Sul “I really believe in processes of prevention and not remediation and civil society is a key component in making this happen.” The culture of prevention is important to Moraes She wants the Citizen Map not only to help residents of Rio Grande do Sul keep themselves safe and informed but also for it to guide authorities to do the same decision makers can improve urban planning creating better mitigation plans for future flooding — like improving stormwater drainage and management systems — and allowing new homes Moraes wants the Citizen Map to keep growing eventually mapping the lack of drinking water and access to basic health care in the aftermath of climate-related crises What will it take to save our cities from a scorching future? Read more I can then use this information to determine which areas are more fragile and direct the necessary public policies to those that need them most.” Two to five years after the original event Moraes hopes she will be able to map where those public policies have ended up and measure their success “We can’t stop these events from happening but we can make sure we’re ready to deal with them in the best way possible.” Jill Langlois is an independent journalist based in São Paulo, Brazil. She has been reporting from South America since 2010, writing for publications including National Geographic, The New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, Al Jazeera, the Los Angeles Times, and the Associated Press. More about Jill Langlois → Never miss an article. Subscribe to the E360 Newsletter → 20243:40 PM UTCSouthern Brazil hit by worst flooding in 80 yearsThe death toll from rains in Brazil's southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul rose to 56 local authorities said on Saturday morning while dozens still have not been accounted for [1/17]A drone view shows houses in the flooded area next to the Taquari River during heavy rains in the city of Encantado in Rio Grande do Sul [2/17]A view of the flooded Porto Alegre Public Market in Porto Alegre [3/17]Brazilian army carries a woman after being rescued from the floods in Porto Alegre [5/17]A car stands on the side of a street after being affected by the floods in Encantado [6/17]A drone view shows a flooded city center after people were evacuated in Porto Alegre [8/17]A woman reacts after being rescued from the floods in Porto Alegre [9/17]A drone view shows a flooded city center after people were evacuated in Porto Alegre [10/17]A drone view shows a flooded city center after people were evacuated in Porto Alegre [11/17]People walk near the Taquari River during heavy rains in the city of Encantado [12/17]A rescue worker carries a woman after being rescued from the floods in Porto Alegre [13/17]A drone view shows houses in the flooded area next to the Taquari River during heavy rains in the city of Encantado in Rio Grande do Sul [14/17]A rescue worker carries a boy after being rescued from the floods in Porto Alegre [15/17]People react after being rescued from flood in Porto Alegre [16/17]A drone view of the flooded area next to the Taquari River during heavy rains in the city of Encantado in Rio Grande do Sul [17/17]A drone view shows vehicles in the area affected by the floods , opens new tab Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. , opens new tabScreen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. © 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved Mostly unknown even among the locals living in the nearby urban areas, the Cachoeira do Lajeado (Lajeado Waterfall) is a 230-foot rock wall that, due to its natural characteristics, does not have a focused stream of water, but rather several mini-waterfalls spread all over the rock formation. The natural pool formed at the base of the waterfall has a reddish tint to it, due to the highly ferrous water in that region of Minas Gerais. Visitors are informed by residents of the nearby Lapinha da Serra village that the pool is fine for swimming, but to rush back if rain starts. The rising water level will render one of the rivers on the way too deep to cross, which can leave visitors marooned until the levels drop again. From the village, it's about a 4.35-mile hike to get to the waterfall, which can be covered in around 1.5 to 3 hours depending on your pace. The watery wonder used to be accessible by canoe, but a nearby dam made the water level on the main river too low to navigate by boat. Hiking is the way to reach the falls, but mountain biking could cut the traveling time shorter.  This narrow canyon has been carved by the river over thousands of years into spectacular and curious forms. Nature's water park in the Wadi Bani Awf valley is full of pools flanked with cliffs and natural water slides. An improbable waterfall springs from an orange-white cliff face, tumbling into the headwaters of the Virgin River above Zion National Park. This stunning limestone waterfall is the highest in Estonia. Believed to be the country's tallest waterfall, the Njupeskär is actually much smaller. This stunning waterfall is the backdrop to a site that has seen continuous human habitation for 250,000 years. Italy's only urban waterfall has enchanted artists and travelers for centuries. A hidden stream deep in the mountains creates one of the largest tufa waterfalls in Serbia. hail and heavy rain have affected the state over the last few days State authorities reported multiple locations recorded more than 200 mm of rain in a 72-hour period to 04 September Entre-Ijuís (207.4 mm) and Vacaria (202.2 mm) Severe flooding has impacted communities in the municipalities of Santo Expedito do Sul Further flooding is expected as river levels are high and in some cases still rising State Civil Defence issued flood warnings for communities living close to the Antas State authorities confirmed that four people have lost their lives as a result of the severe weather One person died in Mato Castelhano after attempting to cross the Piraçuce river Two people died after their car was dragged by flood water when crossing a bridge in Ibiraiaras Over 200 homes have been damaged by either strong winds At one point over 350 people had evacuated their homes Civil Defence said this figure had started to fall as of late 04 September Roads have been blocked in at least 10 locations across the state The Nova Bassano municipality is among the areas hardest hit by flooding following the overflow of the Sabiá River Around 35 homes have been damaged and 90 people displaced Around 30 homes were damaged by flooding in São Jorge municipality Richard Davies is the founder of floodlist.com and reports on flooding news Cookies | Privacy | Contacts © Copyright 2025 FloodList More than 23,000 people forced to leave homes after heavy rains in southern Rio Grande do Sul prompt record-breaking floods Heavy rains in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul have killed 37 people as record-breaking floods devastated cities and forced thousands to leave their homes It was the fourth such environmental disaster in a year, following floods in July, September and November that killed 75 people in total The flooding statewide has surpassed that seen during a historic 1941 deluge according to the Brazilian Geological Service water levels were at their highest since records began nearly 150 years ago a dam at a hydroelectric plant between the cities of Bento Goncalves and Cotipora partially collapsed and entire cities in the Taquari River valley a massively swollen river swept away a bridge that connected it with the neighboring city of Linha Nova communications and water cuts across the state More than 23,000 people had to leave their homes residents struggled to provide updates or information to their relatives living in other states Helicopters flew continually over the cities while stranded families with children awaited rescue on rooftops The downpour started on Monday and is expected to last at least through Saturday, Marcelo Seluchi, chief meteorologist at the National Center for Monitoring and Alerts of Natural Disasters, told Brazil’s public television network on Friday Governor Eduardo Leite alerted the state’s population The situation was expected to worsen in Porto Alegre A family rescued by military firefighters in Lajeado Photograph: Jeff Botega/Reuters“As a human being I am here steadfast and I guarantee that we will not falter to ensure that everything within our reach is done.” Weather across South America is affected by the climate phenomenon El Niño, a periodic, naturally occurring event that warms surface waters in the equatorial Pacific region El Niño has historically caused droughts in the north and intense rainfall in the south This year, the impacts of El Niño have been particularly dramatic, with a historic drought in the Amazon. Scientists say extreme weather is happening more frequently due to human-caused climate change with muddy brown water rising as high as rooftops in some areas More than 250 people are injured and at least 111 have been reported as missing according to the state’s civil defence unit ‘Never before in the history of Brazil has there been such a quantity of rain in one single location,’ President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said This year, the impacts of the El Niño climate phenomenon have been particularly severe in South America, exacerbating the problems caused by climate change Some vineyards are completely submerged in water and rescuers are wading through waist-deep water in a bid to save families across the state Local authorities reported that more than 80,000 people have been displaced as a result of the record-breaking floods told the Associated Press: ‘People were making barricades in front of hospitals with sand and gravel Rio Grande do Sul is Brazil’s largest wine-producing state accounting for approximately 90% of total production The state is at the southern tip of the country It is too early to gauge the full extent of the damage to the region’s agricultural industry, but soybean producers are facing up to heavy losses Rio Grande do Sul lies at a unique geographical meeting point between tropical and polar atmospheres which can lead to periods of intense rain and drought Local scientists say the climate crisis has intensified these patterns a scientist and PhD candidate in climatology at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul told the AP: ‘Models have long predicted that Rio Grande do Sul will continue to see an increase in average annual precipitation and extreme precipitation meaning more concentrated and severe rainfall.’ The Brazilian Geological Service confirmed that the current flooding in the state has surpassed the previous record set in 1941 Water levels in some cities are at their highest since records began almost 150 years ago Governor Eduardo Leite called it ‘the worst climate disaster that our state ever faced’ and added that ‘river waters should stay high for some days’ He could not say when the crisis will abate but he pledged to do ‘everything with focus to ensure that everything within our reach is done’ NATIONAL NEWS 1:35 PM | Updated: 1:38 pm flood waters surround the Gremio Arena after heavy rain on May 5 Rains have struck heavily the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul causing damage to the infrastructure and displacing more than 20,000 people Authorities report over 30 fatalities and expect the death toll to increase while dozens of people are still missing BY ELEONORE HUGHES, ASSOCIATED PRESS RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Massive floods in Brazil’s southern Rio Grande do Sul state have killed at least 75 people over the last seven days while damage from the rains forced more than 88,000 people from their homes Approximately 16,000 took refuge in schools washed-out roads and collapsed bridges across the state Operators reported electricity and communications cuts More than 800,000 people are without a water supply which cited figures from water company Corsan A rescue team pulled an elderly man in serious medical condition into a helicopter from a remote area in the Bento Gonçalves municipality according to footage from military firefighters Torrents of brown water poured over a nearby dam residents in the town of Canoas stood up to their shoulders in muddy water and formed a human chain to pull boats carrying people to safety according to video footage shared by local UOL news network South of Brazil is living the worst flood of history. At the city of Lajeado (video below) the river height surpassed the record of 100 feet high from 1941 and 2023. God bless our people. pic.twitter.com/WM9dhXdumv — Rony Vernet 🇧🇷 (@RonyVernet) May 2, 2024 The Guaiba river reached a record level of 5.33 meters (17.5 feet) on Sunday morning at 8 a.m surpassing levels seen during a historic 1941 deluge “I repeat and insist: the devastation to which we are being subjected is unprecedented,” state Gov He had previously said the state will need a “kind of ‘Marshall Plan’ to be rebuilt.” Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva visited Rio Grande do Sul for a second time on Sunday accompanied by Defense Minister José Múcio Finance Minister Fernando Haddad and Environment Minister Marina Silva The leftist leader and his team surveyed the flooded streets of Porto Alegre from a helicopter “We need to stop running behind disasters We need to see in advance what calamities might happen and we need to work,” Lula told journalists afterwards Torrential flood due to heavy rains in Rio Grande do Sul TELEGRAM JOIN 👉 https://t.co/yY0dMMK1fg pic.twitter.com/ooO7pNUCfU — Disaster News (@Top_Disaster) May 1, 2024 During Sunday mass at the Vatican, Pope Francis said he was praying for the state’s population. “May the Lord welcome the dead and comfort their families and those who had to abandon their homes,” he said. The downpour started Monday and was expected to last through Sunday. In some areas, such as valleys, mountain slopes and cities, more than 300 millimeters (11.8 inches) of rain fell in less than a week, according to Brazil’s National Institute of Meteorology, known by the Portuguese acronym INMET, on Thursday. The heavy rains were the fourth such environmental disaster in the state in a year, following floods in July, September and November 2023 that killed 75 people. Weather across South America is affected by the climate phenomenon El Niño, a periodic, naturally occurring event that warms surface waters in the Equatorial Pacific region. In Brazil, El Niño has historically caused droughts in the north and intense rainfall in the south. This year, the impacts of El Niño have been particularly dramatic, with a historic drought in the Amazon. Scientists say extreme weather is happening more frequently due to human-caused climate change. “These tragedies will continue to happen, increasingly worse and more frequent,” said Suely Araújo, a public policy coordinator at the Climate Observatory, a network of dozens of environmental and social groups. Brazil needs to adjust to the effects of climate change, she said in a Friday statement, referring to a process known as adaptation. Follow AP’s climate and environment coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment Reporting by Fernando Cardoso in Sao Paulo Lisandra Paraguassu in Brasilia and Pedro Fonseca in Rio de Janeiro; writing by Peter Frontini and Andre Romani; editing by Jonathan Oatis Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab © 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved Photo: Fabian Brockotter3 Brazilian poultry plants were forced to halt operations due to outbreaks of the coronavirus among employees in Rio Grande do Sul state The plants produce for BRF (Brazil Foods) and JBS Over 100 employees have tested positive for the new coronavirus at Passo Fundo and Lajeado in Rio Grande do Sul state ordered a “precautionary ban” to a JBS facility for 15 days from 7 may onwards The slaughterhouse was suspended by order of Regional Labour Authority since April 24 but its operation was reopened just last week by the Justice 62 have tested positive for the new coronavirus “JBS formally contests the arguments presented in the notice of infraction issued by Passo Fundo municipality (RS) that contradicts judicial decision of the 2nd Labour Court of Passo Fundo which authorised the resumption of the unit’s operations The company has adopted all necessary preventive measures for the protection and safety of its employees and will take all appropriate measures to reverse the municipal ban.” JBS formally contests the arguments presented in the notice of infraction…” the Justice determined that the company must reduce employee’s presence by half in the production area MP) wanted the Minuano to close completely and had the same idea for another BRF´s facility in the same city BRF and Minuano employ over 4,000 people in the slaughterhouses in Lajeado and The company highlights that food production is an essential sector and “it continues to operate and maintain its commitment to the health and safety of employees the production chain and supplying the population,” said BRF´s note for the press Brazil’s poultry sector barely affected by Covid-19The Cepea´s study about the coronavirus impact on Brazilian agribusiness concludes that the poultry sector is barely affected The company also announced a series of measures it is taking to contain the coronavirus and protect employees The group also pointed out that it signed a commitment with the Labour Public Prosecutor’s Office (MPT) ensuring that measures to protect workers have already adopted Devastating floods in Rio Grande do Sul state have about left 90 dead with survivors seeking food and shelter Heavy rains that began last week have caused rivers to flood inundating whole towns and destroying roads and bridges across the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul The local civil defence agency said the death toll had risen to 90 while 131 people were unaccounted for with 155,000 homeless A state of emergency has been declared in 397 of Rio Grande do Sul’s 497 towns and cities as rescue efforts continue Photographs: Maxar Technologies/AFP/Getty Images Flooded areas around Grêmio Arena in Porto Alegre Before and after images of the flood affecting the Taquari River The Taquari River and the highway 386 bridge in Estrela Homes and neighbourhoods in north Porto Alegre Photographs: EU/Copernicus Sentinel-2/Reuters The area around the Church of Saint Ignatius of Loyola in Lajeado The railyard and buildings north of the airport in Porto Alegre A neighbourhood by the Cai River in Montenegro Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite images showing a broad area along Jacuí River had been exporting around 6,500 tonnes per month of chicken products to Saudi Arabia before the kingdom sharply reduced the number of authorised Brazilian exporters BRF estimated a negative impact on revenue from the suspension of about 45 million reais ($12 million) in the coming three months or 0.1 percent of net revenues in the 12 months ending in September 2018 The Brazilian government on Tuesday published a list of 25 meat processors with valid export permits to Saudi Arabia That compares with 30 plants which had previously been exporting chicken to Saudi Arabia and 58 which had formerly been authorised to do so That list was trimmed due to "technical" reasons Lajeado was among the plants whose licenses were suspended had not been exporting meat products to Saudi Arabia which is the world's largest chicken exporter it operates eight out of the 25 plants now authorised to export chicken to Saudi Arabia Reporting by Christian Plumb and Ana Mano in São Paulo Editing by Edmund Blair and Chizu Nomiyama Ryan worked in conservation from 2008 to 2017 during which time he operated a rainbow trout hatchery and helped to maintain public and protected green spaces in Canada for the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority he now writes about challenges and opportunities in agriculture across the globe Global Ag Media provides a knowledge sharing platform offering premium news analysis and information resources for the global agriculture industry Sign up to our regular newsletter and access news from across the Global AG Media network SAO PAULO (AP) — Heavy rains in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul killed 39 people, with another 68 still missing, the state civil defense agency said Friday, as record-breaking floods devastated cities and forced thousands to leave their homes It was the fourth such environmental disaster in a year September and November 2023 that killed 75 people in total 50 miles (80 kilometers) from the state capital More than 24,000 people had to leave their homes Helicopters flew continually over the cities while stranded families with children awaited rescue on the rooftops lives in the city of Lajeado in the Taquari River valley and told The Associated Press she has never before seen a scenario like the one she is now experiencing “People were making barricades in front of hospitals with sand and gravel It felt like a horror movie,” she said by phone Some people in her region were so desperate that they threw themselves into the water currents Neumann’s own neighborhood wasn’t inundated but has no running water and she hasn’t showered since Tuesday She said she’s collecting rainwater in a basin to be able to cook A clothing store she owns in the city’s central area is flooded The downpour started Monday and is expected to last at least through Saturday chief meteorologist at the National Center for Monitoring and Alerts of Natural Disasters told Brazil’s public television network Friday Eduardo Leite alerted the state’s population — known as gauchos — about the persistence of rains and floods to ensure that everything within our reach is done.” President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva acknowledged the flood victims at a press conference on Friday alongside Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Brasilia “The first words from Minister Fumio Kishida in the meeting we held were of solidarity with the people of the state of Rio Grande do Sul who are victims by one of the largest floods we have ever known Never before in the history of Brazil had there been such a quantity of rain in one single location,” Lula said Weather across South America is affected by the climate phenomenon El Niño naturally occurring event that warms surface waters in the Equatorial Pacific region This year, the impacts of El Niño have been particularly dramatic, with a historic drought in the Amazon. Scientists say extreme weather is happening more frequently due to human-caused climate change. Karina Lima, a 36-year-old scientist and PhD candidate in climatology at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, told The Associated Press that the state is located in a region with certain characteristics that amplify El Niño’s destructive potential. “Models have long predicted that Rio Grande do Sul will continue to see an increase in average annual precipitation and extreme precipitation, meaning more concentrated and severe rainfall,” she said. A Canadian man arrested on vacation has been proven innocent. Melissa Nakhavoly with why he is still being held in the Dominican Republic. Warmer temperatures but showers are expected on-and-off for the next few days. Meteorologist Natasha Ramsahai has your seven-day forecast. Ontario Premier Doug Ford calls on Prime Minister Mark Carney to prioritize a list of projects including the proposed Highway 401 tunnel. The family of Soleiman Faqiri, a mentally ill man who was killed in an Ontario prison, is calling out the provincial government over the lack of correctional reform Now New and Improved! Watch CityNews, listen to NewsRadio Toronto live anytime and get up-to-the-minute breaking-news alerts, traffic, weather and video from CityNews Toronto anywhere you are – across all Android and iOS devices. News & Analysis on Chocolate, Candy and Cocoa 04-Sep-2016 Last updated on 18-Mar-2017 at 10:54 GMT In an exclusive interview, Ricardo Heineck, director, Docile, talks to ConfectioneryNews about the challenges of running a family business, his 18-year-old twin daughters, future acquisitions and his optimism of the market despite Brazil’s economy. Jenny Eagle with Ricardo Heineck. (Jenny EAGLE)Heineck is one of three brothers; Alexandre and Fernando, who created Docile in 1991 following in the footsteps of their father who started manufacturing candy from 1936. It now has two facilities in Lajeado and Vitória de Santo Antão, Brazil. This year, the company which specializes in six lines; jellies, chewing gum, powdered drinks, pastilles, gelatin sweets and marshmallows, will install a new production line for its Mini Minty candy, changing the shape and the packaging of the product. “In the beginning we started doing the same thing as other candy manufacturers in the  industry, following the market trends, but now that we have been established for 25 years we can develop our products and try to create something new,” said Heineck. “We are looking to improve our products all the time. We used to follow others but now we introduce novelties into the market. We are at a point now where we can create the consumption in the consumers’ minds. We can influence what we bring to them. “We are never satisfied with the taste, texture, look and we are always looking to improve. Nowadays we have a solid production line and because of it we are ready to be more aggressive within the industry to become one of the best producers in Brazil, this is our focus - the Docile goal.” Heineck says he enjoys the product development side of the business but he is never satisfied.   “I am happy with our marshmallow and starch jellies but there is still room for improvement and we could do better. Even the sweet and sour candy, I think we can improve on that and come up with a stronger sour flavor. “I am very critical about our own products, and I am constantly trying and tasting our products and comparing them to what is already out there. Our marshmallows are equal if not better than the competitors. With the corn starch jelly we are similar to the competitor, there is always opportunity to improve. We have the space here and the right facilities to increase sales across our product range, focusing on different shapes, flavors, and packaging.”  Heineck said the brothers plan to grow the company further by purchasing the latest technology and processing lines, and there are opportunities in the future to acquire similar candy companies to expand. “I strongly believe we will grow through acquisitions. I am very optimistic at the moment. The Brazilian economy isn’t doing very well but we are growing independently and that’s a sign that we will succeed despite the market,” he added. “We are proud to show off our facilities. We have worked hard to get where we are today and we want to show off our potential. We are very transparent in what we do and everything is done correctly within the law. The co-director said most of the challenges include adhering to the correct norms and certifications. He said Brazil has strict laws about food and drink so when it develops and launches any products it already has to make sure the certifications are in place such as ISO 9001 quality management and Food Safety Certificate 22000. Heineck’s 18-year-old twin daughters are already getting ready to join the management team. They are both studying engineering and have been coming to the factory to work in each department to see which area they are interested in most. “I have been taking products home for them to taste since they were little to get their opinion on the flavor and shapes and to take them to school to make their friends taste them. They were already involved in the business from a young age, one is more into flavors and shapes and the other has an interest in profit and loss,” he added. “To decide on which profession they want to go into, the girls come to the factory to learn a bit about each department to see which area they enjoy most and which area they want to specialize in. My brother, Alexandre also has twin girls aged 13, and Fernando has a young son and a daughter. Sweets based on themed-parties & celebrations The company regularly updates its marshmallow products with new launches and testing different shapes and sizes. This month it launched a heart shaped range and in the past it has created blue marshmallows and those based on children’s cartoon characters. Ediane Gollub, international business manager, Docile, has worked for the company for five years. She said there is a lot of opportunity to develop new colors and flavors and ‘thematic parties’ are on the increase, ie birthday parties for children, family celebrations. “We saw that the market was changing and we tried to exploit that opportunity. We create marshmallows for any kind of event, be it Valentine’s Day or weddings. The factory at Lajeado can produce 12,000 kilos of marshmallows per day,” she said. “We recently launched a vanilla and strawberry flavor marshmallow and this year launched a variety of colors in white and pink; and white and blue. We are now mini sweets in a pack made of hearts, stars and bananas. “The Mini Minty will be relaunched in September to make the plastic packaging bigger with more space for labeling and imagery to make it look more modern. The product sells very well so we are changing the machine to improve production to increase output. The line needs to be faster. Docile will relaunch Mini Minty in September. (Joselaine Antunes)“Paraguay is our most popular market for exports and then Uruguay, Argentina, and The Netherlands for our pressed candy, jellies, and Mini 8 sweets. It’s tough to break into Europe because there is a lot of competition. “Paraguay is the closest country to Brazil, just a few hours away, and the culture is very similar, it has what we would call a ‘very informal market’ and our products are not just sold in supermarkets but on the streets, on the roadside or at traffic lights. “The idea behind our marshmallows and gelatin candy was to have a premium line to distinguish ourselves from the competition and instead of working with regular products to target more markets, to distinguish them from pressed candy, mints, and corn starch jelly. “Onsite, we have our own R&D department and all the machines are repaired here to keep our ‘secrets’ in-house.   “Brazil has not always faced a good time politically and economically but our export business is growing 7%. The main challenges are the amount of duty tax we have to pay and the bureaucracy of the ports here which means it can take longer to import packaging from a supplier than to export it.” [ConfectioneryNews traveled to Docile with ABICAB (Brazilian cocoa, chocolate, peanut and candies manufacturers association) and ApexBrasil.] UK chocolate fans are being offered a taste of Brazil through bean-to-bar chocolate company Aquim. Hershey’s has launched its Chocotubs crunchy cookies with chocolate dip, in in-mould labelling (IML) packaging with labels from Verstraete IML, in Brazil. EquipNet has opened an office in Sao Paulo because it says it has seen an increase in the use of pre-owned F&B manufacturing equipment, due to an increasing number of international firms moving to Brazil. Making a meaningful impact through ethical and sustainable cocoa productionPaid for and content provided by Fludor Ghana Ltd European-quality chocolates reshape the market with local production and competitive pricingPaid for and content provided by IRCA Group The sweet spot: 100% indulgence with cost-effective natural confectionery ingredientsPaid for and content provided by Avebe Brazil (Reuters) – For several hours the floodwaters rose until they swept away Miguel Rutigliano Bieleski’s home Bieleski said he only survived by clinging on to the branch of a tree is one of many Brazilians in the south of the country struggling to rebuild their lives after being battered by a tropical cyclone this week Around 7,700 people are estimated to have lost their homes according to authorities from Rio Grande do Sul state Weather forecasters predict more rains before the deluge dissipates by Sunday which was badly hit by floodwaters from the engorged Taquari river He blamed emergency services for the deaths of his wife and children saying they had urged him to stay in his home to await help that never arrived Rio Grande do Sul emergency services did not respond to a request for comment now sleeps in his car after his home was filled with mud and water the 65-year-old retiree managed to save his gardening tools his only means of subsistence apart from donations of food and water He said he was worried thieves would ransack whatever belongings remained and I’ve never seen a tragedy (like this),” he said “The water reached the second floor of my house.” (Reporting by Diego Vara and Pilar Olivares; Writing by Carolina Pulice; Editing by Gabriel Stargardter and Aurora Ellis) Powered by PageSuite The death toll from a cyclone that unleashed torrential rain and flooding on southern Brazil rose to at least 31 Wednesday as the region braced for more violent weather left whole neighborhoods submerged in flood waters in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul forcing some residents to climb onto their roofs and wait to be rescued It is the latest in a series of deadly weather disasters to hit Brazil which experts say are likely being made worse by climate change I received confirmation of four more deaths," said Governor Eduardo Leite bringing the total death toll from the disaster to 31 "There are still a lot of families stranded on the roofs of their houses," he said earlier "There are thousands of people who still need to be rescued." called it the deadliest weather disaster ever to hit Rio Grande do Sul police and volunteers continued efforts to reach areas cut off by flooding More than 5,300 people have been forced from their homes and more than 52,000 residents and 70 towns affected in all with more rain forecast for late Wednesday and into Thursday President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he had spoken with the governor and promised his administration's support "I reiterated that the federal government is at the disposal of the people of Rio Grande do Sul to face this crisis," Lula wrote on X (formerly Twitter) who joined the governor on his flyover of the disaster zone said the federal government would request more aircraft to help in the rescue effort in addition to four helicopters it sent Tuesday "It's a devastating scene," he wrote on X after touring the area The floodwaters submerged most of the town of Mucum Local media said authorities there and in the neighboring town of Roca Sales had to resort to using a commercial refrigerator truck to transport victims' bodies "It's frightening," Roca Sales Mayor Amilton Fontana told news site A Hora There's nothing left in Roca Sales today." The dead included a 50-year-old woman in the town of Lajeado who was being lifted to safety by a rescue worker when the cable holding her broke A couple in the town of Ibiraiaras was killed when their car was swept away by the current as they tried to cross a bridge In addition to the likely impact of climate change unchecked urbanization and irregular housing built on hillsides are also making weather disasters deadlier in Brazil another cyclone left 13 dead in Rio Grande do Sul and forced thousands of people from their homes 65 people died in landslides caused by record flooding in the southeastern resort town of Sao Sebastiao An estimated 9.5 million of Brazil's 203 million people live in areas at high risk of flooding or landslides.