Brazil has potential to expand fruit exports

Brazil is the global leader in the trade of agricultural commodities and the third-largest fruit producer, behind only China and India, but ranks just 23rd among exporters in this higher-value-added market. Ahead of Brazil are countries such as Spain, China, the Netherlands, Costa Rica, Ecuador, the United States, South Africa, Turkey, Mexico, and Guatemala, according to the Brazilian Association of Fruit Producers and Exporters (Abrafrutas).

Brazilian fruit farming exported US$1.3 billion last year, according to data from the Foreign Trade Secretariat (Secex) of the Ministry of Development, Industry, and Trade and Services (MDIC). Mango, melon, grapes, and lemons lead exports. The total volume—about 1.1 million tons—represents less than 1% of the sector’s total output.

Several factors contribute to this scenario, indicating that there is still a significant distance to cover to gain a larger share of the international market. According to Abrafrutas President Guilherme Coelho, this path involves new bilateral agreements, irrigation projects—especially in the Northeast—improved logistics, and greater organization of small producers into cooperatives.

“Many countries, especially in Latin America, that export significantly more than Brazil do so because they have a tiny population,” says Coelho. “Their production is sufficient to supply their reduced domestic market, allowing the surplus to be robustly exported.”

In Brazil, with a population of over 210 million people, the dynamics are a bit different, he explains. “But this population difference does not lessen or justify the fact that our export numbers aren’t double or triple what they currently are,” he states.

Brazilian fruit farming stands out from competitors

Compared to international competition, Brazil has several advantages. Fruits such as melons, watermelons, and grapes are produced year-round through a carefully planned pruning and harvesting schedule. “If you look at Chile or South Africa, which export grapes, they only have one harvest per year. An importer in Germany, for example, cannot have Chilean grapes year-round because vines there go through a cold, dormant period. Here, production is continuous.”

In addition, the country’s diverse biomes, climates, and soils enable it to have one of the greatest fruit diversities in the world. States like Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina are major producers of apples. Açaí comes from Pará and Amazonas. In São Paulo, it’s lemons and avocados. Mangoes and grapes come from the São Francisco Valley. Melons and watermelons come from the regions of Rio Grande do Norte and Ceará.

In terms of international certification, both environmental and social, there are also no restrictions on the export of Brazilian fruits.

Here is a historical overview of Brazilian fruit exports starting from January 2022. The chart was created using DataLiner data:

Brazilian Fruit Exports | Jan 2022 – Apr 2025 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Opening of new markets has boosted fruit exports

“What really drives or holds back exports is the mutual willingness between two countries: one wanting to export and the other wanting to import,” says Coelho. He cites as an example the negotiation for the export of Brazilian grapes and melons to China. The letter of intent was signed in 2021, and the market opening was announced in November 2024.

“Today, Brazil can export two fruits to China: melon and grape. But this is very recent. I’m optimistic that by the end of the year, we’ll make the first shipment,” he states.

Although the market is already open, there has been no viable maritime transport service until now, as the average transit time was 46 days—unfeasible for perishable fruits. About 15 days ago, a new shipping service was announced that will reduce the time to around 28 days, which is ideal for fruits.

For the president of Abrafrutas, the efforts made by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE), along with the partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil), have been key to boosting external sales in recent years.

In 2020, Brazil exported US$880 million in fruits—US$415 million less than in the previous year. In 2024, the growth in export value was 4.6% compared to the previous year, following a 26% increase between 2022 and 2023. “This shows that there is no ceiling for growth; we are advancing, but to grow further, we need additional actions,” says Coelho.

Irrigation in the semi-arid region, logistics, and cooperatives could boost exports

One of the measures proposed by the sector to boost production and exports is greater investment in public irrigation projects, with a special focus on the Northeast. Idle for decades, one initiative that could increase fruit production in the region is the Canal do Sertão Pernambucano, which would bring water from the São Francisco River to semi-arid areas in Pernambuco and Bahia.
The project was first proposed on paper in the 1990s when the São Francisco Valley Development Company (CODEVASF) assessed its feasibility. The canal would serve 112,000 hectares of irrigable land. About 60,000 to 80,000 hectares could be allocated to fruit farming, says Coelho.

The canal’s implementation was one of the commitments made by the federal government when, in 2005, the Pernambuco state administration signed on to the São Francisco River transposition project; however, since then, there has been no progress. “We are seeking support from the federal government or the state of Pernambuco for the executive project, which is the step before the bidding process and implementation of new areas for fruit farming,” says the president of Abrafrutas.

“Our great global differentiator is the northeastern semi-arid region. It’s an area with 3,000 hours of sunlight per year and abundant water from the São Francisco River. Even in areas far from the river, like in Rio Grande do Norte or Ceará, there is excellent quality and quantity groundwater.”

The sector also believes logistics could be improved. Unlike grains, the perishability of fruits poses a risk to shipments when there are delays and necessitates the use of cold storage units.
Another strategic action would be the adoption of a culture of cooperativism and association among small producers, who represent a significant share of the fruit farming sector. Common in states like Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul, the model is rarely used in regions such as the Northeast, where smallholders hold approximately 70% of the land. “Many times, small producers view exports as complex and inaccessible, preferring to sell to the domestic market or middlemen,” explains Coelho.

Source: Gazeta do Povo

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