Rio Grande do Norte Edges Out Ceará in Brazil’s Fruit Export Race

Ceará’s export performance in 2024 experienced a sharp decline of 21.79%, according to data from the Secretariat of Economic Development (SDE) of Ceará, based on figures from the Foreign Trade Secretariat (Secex) of the Ministry of Development, Industry, and Commerce. The state’s total exports amounted to $1.648 billion, significantly lower than the $2.34 billion recorded in 2023.

Steel plates produced by ArcelorMittal were the state’s most exported product, generating $558.5 million in revenue. However, this represented a considerable 48.25% drop compared to the $1.079 billion exported in the previous year.

A major shift occurred in Brazil’s fruit export race, with Ceará losing its position as the second-largest fruit exporter in Brazil. Pernambuco has now taken the lead, with $302.8 million in fruit exports in 2024. Following Pernambuco are Bahia, with $236.1 million; Rio Grande do Norte, with $198.7 million; and São Paulo, with $189.2 million. Ceará now ranks fifth, with fruit exports totaling $85.6 million, an 8.6% decrease compared to 2023.

The Port of Fortaleza is one of Ceará’s main exit points for locally sourced fruits. The chart below shows the monthly pace of fruit shipments, measured in TEUs, from January 2021 and November 2024. The data comes from DataLiner.

Port of Fortaleza Fruit Exports | Jan 2021 – Nov 2024 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

The decline in Ceará’s fruit exports has been attributed to the water crisis. According to SDE Executive Secretary Sílvio Carlos Ribeiro, Rio Grande do Norte benefits from a more reliable water supply, which has attracted producers of key crops, particularly melons. In 2024, Rio Grande do Norte exported $120.1 million worth of melons, while Ceará’s melon exports reached only $59.7 million.

Despite these setbacks, 2025 offers a more optimistic outlook for Ceará. Starting in May, the local company Itaueira Agropecuária plans to resume melon production in the state, supported by the Eixão das Águas. This critical water infrastructure project, connecting the Castanhão reservoir to the Fortaleza Metropolitan Region, will ensure a steady water supply for agriculture. With this initiative, Ceará aims to recover its position and strengthen its presence in the national and international fruit export markets.

Source: Diário do Nordeste

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