Brazilian melon exports fall 47% in May

Brazil exported 6,000 tons of melons in May 2026, down 47% from April, according to Comex Stat data. Export revenue declined by 48% month-on-month to US$4.6 million FOB.

The United Kingdom was the main destination for Brazilian melons during the month, accounting for 40.28% of export volume, followed by the Netherlands with 39.91% and Spain with 9.41%.

According to Datamar’s maritime cargo throughput data, the main ports handling melon shipments in the first four months of 2016 were located in states Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte. The chart below shows the share of Brazilian ports in the fruit’s export trade:

Top Melon Export Ports | Jan-Apr 2026 | WTMT

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

The decline in shipments was linked to the off-season period in Rio Grande do Norte and Ceará, Brazil’s main melon-producing states. Market participants also pointed to the ongoing Spanish season, which has increased fruit availability in Europe. According to Hortifrúti/Cepea collaborators, the larger supply of Spanish melons reduced demand for Brazilian product, with shorter transport distances providing a logistics advantage for European-grown fruit.

Some growers also reported the presence of Acidovorax bacteria during the off-season. The pathogen causes bacterial fruit blotch, resulting in brown lesions on fruit surfaces and affecting export suitability under market quality requirements. Disease pressure increased following heavy rainfall recorded from mid-March onward.

With rainfall levels declining since mid-May, growers expect improved field conditions and more effective disease management.

Compared with May 2025, export volumes were down 36%, while export revenue fell by 35%.

Export growth is expected to remain limited through July. However, planting for the 2026/27 season is already underway in Rio Grande do Norte and Ceará, with production and export availability expected to increase gradually. Larger export volumes are anticipated from late July to early August.

The sector is also monitoring the impact of higher freight and production costs, particularly for crop protection products and agricultural row covers. According to industry sources, rising input and logistics costs could affect both export volumes and planted area during the upcoming season.

Source: HF Brasil

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