Cepea sees modest grape shipments in Brazil’s first export window

Brazilian grape exports have continued to advance at the start of the first export window of 2026. According to Comex Stat data, 1,250 tonnes were shipped in April, up 115% from March — an expected jump given the intensification of shipments. However, the result was 9% lower than in the same period of 2025, marking the second-lowest volume shipped for April since 2020, ahead only of 2024, when production was affected by adverse weather. In revenue terms, shipments fell 13% from the same period in 2025, totaling US$3.33 million FOB. Average prices paid per kilogram of fruit, however, remain at remunerative levels.

The main destinations for Brazilian grapes in the period were the Netherlands, which accounted for 33% of total shipments, followed by the United Kingdom at 25%, Argentina at 14% and the United States at 13%. Argentina stood out, posting strong growth compared with April 2025, with 180,000 kg received — the highest volume recorded for the period since the start of the historical series.

The following analysis compares Brazilian grape export performance during the first quarter (Q1) over the last three years. This year-over-year comparison is made possible by Datamar intelligence, available through the DataLiner platform:

Grape Exports | Q1 2023–2026 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

According to exporters from the São Francisco Valley, in Pernambuco and Bahia, consulted by Hortifrúti/Cepea, the season is expected to see modest shipments, with a decline anticipated from the previous window. Lower productivity in this four-month period reflects the impact of recurring rainfall on grape clusters and the prevailing microclimate — marked by high temperatures and humidity — which has favored the spread of fungi and bacteria in white, black and red seedless varieties, affecting fruit quality.

As a result, shelf life has been affected by freight times of more than 15 days, making it harder for the fruit to be accepted in the European market. As an alternative, part of the volume was redirected to neighboring countries, which explains the growth recorded in the Argentine market.

Shipments are expected to remain moderate, with a focus on phytosanitary management of export-bound lots to mitigate quality problems. Significant increases in volumes are not expected, as production and quality are only forecast to recover in mid-June, when demand from importing countries tends to decline.

Source: hfbrasil.org.br

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