Brazilian apple exports jump 225% in first half of 2026

Brazilian apple exports surged in the first half of 2026, making the fruit one of the standout performers in the country’s fresh produce trade.

From January to June, Brazil shipped 42,800 metric tons of apples abroad, up 225.11% from the same period in 2025. Export revenue reached $44.4 million, a 223.55% increase in value.

Datamar data also show a sharp increase in Brazil’s apple exports, which rose 237.9% in the January-May period of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier. In the five-month comparison, exports reached a peak of 3,730 TEUs.

Apple Exports | Jan-May | 2022-2026 | TEUs

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The figures, released by Abrafrutas underscore a strong moment for Brazil’s fruit industry, supported by investment in technology, quality, productivity and market diversification.

Record crop boosts Brazilian apple competitiveness

According to the Brazilian Association of Apple Producers (ABPM), the main driver behind the export increase was the 2025/2026 crop, which the sector considers the largest on record.

After two seasons marked by weather-related losses, production recovered sharply in both volume and quality, expanding supply for the domestic market and, especially, for exports.

ABPM Executive Director Moisés Albuquerque said the combination of high productivity and strong fruit quality allowed Brazil to significantly expand its presence in international markets.

Middle East conflict limited further gains

Despite the record performance, the industry believes the results could have been even stronger.

The main limiting factor was the conflict in the Middle East, one of the most important regions for Brazilian apple exports.

In addition to reducing purchases by affected countries, the war reshaped international trade flows. Fruit that competitors no longer shipped to the Middle East began competing in Brazil’s traditional markets, increasing global competition.

The conflict also created logistics difficulties, particularly container shortages and more complex international shipping conditions.

Even with those challenges, the industry was able to expand exports significantly thanks to a broader mix of destination markets.

India leads purchases of Brazilian apples

India remained the leading destination for Brazilian apples in the first half of the year.

It was followed by Saudi Arabia and Russia, a market considered strategic and with strong growth potential in the years ahead.

Brazilian apples were also shipped to the European Union, the United Kingdom, South America and Central America, underscoring the sector’s growing market diversification.

According to ABPM, expanding the buyer base reduces dependence on specific markets, strengthens the competitiveness of the production chain and gives exporters greater commercial security.

Second-half shipments expected to slow

The sector expects exports to slow naturally in the second half of the year.

That trend reflects the dynamics of the global apple market, as more than 90% of world production is concentrated in the Northern Hemisphere, where the harvest takes place from July to December.

As local production enters the market in major consuming countries, Brazil’s export window becomes more limited.

Historically, most Brazilian apple shipments take place between January and June, while the second half accounts for a smaller share of export volume.

Technology drives productivity and quality

The results reflect investments made by the apple production chain in recent years.

Modern orchards, high-tech systems, denser planting, more efficient crop management and genetic advances have significantly improved productivity and fruit quality in Brazil.

These factors have strengthened the competitiveness of Brazilian apples against major global exporters and expanded the country’s presence in increasingly demanding markets.

Fruit sector gains ground in foreign trade

Abrafrutas said the performance of apples reflects the broader strength of Brazil’s fruit industry.

Export growth across several crops shows that investment in innovation, sustainability, traceability, quality and market access is making Brazilian agribusiness more competitive internationally.

With increasingly technology-driven production and a strategy focused on global expansion, the industry expects Brazilian apples to continue gaining space in international trade over the coming years, consolidating the country’s role as a reliable supplier of high-quality fruit.

Source: Portal do Agronegócio

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