Maritime services from Ceará to increase to meet export demand for melons

Melon exports from Ceará are expected to have two weekly maritime services to meet European and Middle Eastern demand, which is expected to intensify in early August.  The fruits are transported by MSC. According to the company’s CEO in Brazil, Elber Justo, it is too early to estimate the volume to be sold this year, but there are signs of increased demand for fresh products, which should mitigate the negative impacts of the crisis.  “What we have noticed is that there has been an increase in the consumption of fresh fruit especially in Europe, which has led to greater demand, which is very positive for us”, says Justo.

Despite an improvement in recent weeks, the expectation is for a fall in the total export volumes. “The horizon has improved compared to what was in March. We were able to confirm some contracts, but far below what they were in the same period last year”, says Luiz Roberto Barcelos, president of the Association of Fruit Exporting Companies and Derivados (Arafrutas) and partner at Agrícola Famosa, the largest fruit producer and exporter in Brazil.

According to Barcelos, if this year’s figures were equivalent to 80% or 85% of what was recorded last year, it would already be a big gain. “In the melon market, production is expected to fall between 15% and 25%. But it is improving and, who knows, once returning to activities, we will be able to resume exports as they were in the past”.

2020 harvest

The export season for the 2020 harvest, which is expected to continue until mid-February 2021, will feature two weekly services for Europe and one for the United States, from Pecém. One for northern Europe, which supplies Holland and the United Kingdom and one for the Mediterranean, for Spain and Italy, from where it goes to the United Arab Emirates, in the Middle East.

“We hope to be able to grow this year. We are prepared to absorb the growth in the volume of fruit. In two years, 2018 and 2019, we grew our fruit exports by 151%. Just last year, there were more or less 5,000 containers. “, says Justo, who recognizes that the moment is still difficult to make projections. “From what we see, it is still uncertain”. Today, MSC serves around 20 customers who export fruit via the Port of Pecém. The Ceará terminal is responsible for 70% of all fruit exported by the carrier.

Source: Diário do Nordeste

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