Brazil’s Fresh Apple Imports Keep on Rising

Brazil’s trade balance for fresh apples has been negative since the beginning of the year—an unusual trend as it typically remains positive during the harvest months—due to record levels of apple imports.

According to Comex Stat data, the deficit reached $127.1 million (FOB) between January and July, the highest for this period since the start of the historical database in 1997. While revenue from exports was only $9.2 million for the year-to-date (a 69% drop), spending on imports amounted to $136.3 million (a 103% increase).

The chart below uses DataLiner data to compare imports of apples, pears, and quinces registered at Brazilian ports from January to June for the past three years.

Apple Imports by Brazil | Jan-Jun 2021 X Jan-Jun 2024 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Hortifrúti/Cepea sources attribute this outcome primarily to the Brazilian crop failure caused by intense rainfall in the spring of 2023 and the summer 2023/24. This weather impacted orchard yields, apple size, and post-harvest quality. The larger supply of small apples resulted in lower demand for medium-sized fruit, complicating exports to other countries.

Source: HF Brasil

Click here to read this story’s original report: https://www.hfbrasil.org.br/br/maca-cepea-importacoes-seguem-aumentando.aspx

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