Brazilian fresh fruit exports hit record in first half

Brazilian fresh fruit exports reached record levels in the first half of the year, both in FOB revenue and volume. According to Comex Stat data, international shipments generated nearly US$700 million from January through June, with more than 600,000 tonnes of fresh fruit sent abroad.

It was the strongest first-half result in the Comex Stat historical series, which began in 1997.

Cargo throughput data compiled by Datamar’s business intelligence team shows that fruit exports totaled 31,949 TEUs in the January-May period. That figure represents a 20% increase from the same period a year earlier. The chart below shows the main products in the category shipped abroad during the period by market share:

Fruit Exports | Jan-May 2026 | TEUs

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Part of the performance was driven by a sharp increase in mango shipments from the São Francisco Valley, in Bahia and Pernambuco. Exports from the region rose nearly 40% from last year, reaching more than 120,000 tonnes.

Watermelon shipments also performed well, especially those from the Chapada do Apodi region, between Rio Grande do Norte and Ceará. Exports rose about 6% in the same comparison, totaling 78,000 tonnes.

European demand for lemons and limes, especially in recent months, helped keep international shipments stable, with exports of these fruits surpassing 100,000 tonnes. Stronger consumption in Europe also supported an increase in papaya shipments, which reached a record for the Brazilian export series, at nearly 30,000 tonnes in the first half of the year.

Apple exports also recovered strongly. Although apples account for just over 5% of Brazil’s fruit export revenue, the rebound in production in the 2025/26 season in southern Brazil helped lift export volumes by 200%, with shipments mainly headed to India and Saudi Arabia.

As a result, Brazil ended the first half with a fruit trade surplus of just over US$170 million FOB, the highest figure for the period since 2021.

Second-half outlook

The outlook for Brazilian fruit exports remains positive for the second half, as the export window for many fruits is concentrated in the latter part of the year. Even so, weather conditions and the availability of fruit meeting adequate quality standards will be key to maintaining strong trade performance.

Quality issues were among the main factors behind the nearly 30% drop in banana exports and the slight 2% decline in melon shipments to Europe, especially during the crop’s off-season, which runs from April to July.

Another factor that could shape second-half results is the international policy environment and the level of competition from other exporting countries. For grapes, the continuation of a 33% tariff on shipments to the U.S. market limited the country to just 6% of Brazilian grape exports, while total shipments to the United States fell 30%.

For melons and watermelons, the recovery in productivity in Central American countries and solid European production results could increase global supply this year, making it harder for Brazil to gain market share and secure attractive prices.

Even so, expectations for the second half remain optimistic. Brazilian fruit exports are expected to surpass US$1 billion again by the end of the year.

Source: Hfbrasil.org.br 

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