Brazil's fruit exports reached a record $1.2 billion in 2023, with new trade agreements boosting the sector's growth. Seven new markets were opened for Brazilian fruits, and 12 more are under negotiation. The country's fruit sector benefits from advanced technology and favorable natural conditions, especially in the semi-arid Northeast, where year-round irrigation enables consistent production.
Brazil is the world's third-largest fruit producer, harvesting 43 million tons in 2023, though only 2.3% of this, or 1 million tons, is exported. Major fruits include mangoes, melons, grapes, and limes, with São Paulo and Minas Gerais leading in lime and orange production. Despite this success, challenges such as drought have impacted the orange sector.
Agrícola Famosa, Brazil's largest fruit exporter, has seen major growth. CEO Carlo Porro transformed a small melon farm in Ceará into a 30,000-hectare operation. Brazil's fruit revolution began in the 1970s with irrigation in the Northeast, supported by both public and private investments. Over the decades, innovations like fertigation and flower induction have allowed for multiple harvests per year, especially for mangoes and grapes.
The introduction of new grape varieties, such as the BRS Vitória and BRS Melodia, has further bolstered production. Meanwhile, companies like Lina Frutas, founded by Priscilla Nasrallah in 2017, have adopted Embrapa's open varieties to expand exports. Nasrallah's farm, which produces grapes and mangoes, exports 60% of its production, with a focus on international markets.
The sector's growth is also fueled by new trade deals. The recent EU-Mercosur agreement will eliminate tariffs on Brazilian fruits, including grapes. The visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping led to agreements allowing Brazilian grapes into China, a massive market with high demand for imported fruit.
Labor shortages are a challenge for the sector, as fruits require delicate handling during harvesting and packaging. However, fruit cultivation generates significant employment opportunities, with grape farming creating three jobs per hectare.
Looking ahead, the expansion into Asian markets, particularly China's growing middle class, is seen as a key frontier for Brazil's fruit exports, with a focus on leveraging free trade agreements to increase demand and reduce tariffs.
Source: Datamar News