Brazilian fruit exports increased 10.7% in first 9 months of 2020

Brazilian fruit exports registered a 10.7% increase (46,767 TEU) during the first 9 months of 2020 in relation to the same period last year, according to a survey carried out using DataLiner data. Argentine exports, however, grew only 5.24%, as can be seen in the graphs below:

Brazilian Fruit Exports (HS 08) | Jan 2016 to Sept 2020 | TEU

Source: DataLiner

Argentine Fruit Exports (HS 08) | Jan 2016 to Sept 2020 | TEU

Source: DataLiner

Fruit Exports (HS 08) from Brazil and Argentina | Jan to Sept 2016-2020 | TEU

Source: DataLiner

In 2020, Brazil was the largest exporter of fruit on the East Coast of South America, exporting 52% of the total, followed by Argentina, exporting 41%, and Uruguay, exporting 7%. Brazil also leads fruit imports, importing 86% of all fruit imported for the region, followed by Argentina, importing 9%, and Uruguay, importing 6%. Despite this, the amount of fruit exported by Brazil in 2020 is much higher than imports: 46,767 TEU exported against 8,217 TEU imported.

Top destinations

The Netherlands was the main destination for Brazilian fruit between January and September 2020, with a 9% growth in comparison with the same period in 2019. In second place is the United Kingdom, which increased its imports in 2020 by 14%. The biggest increase, however, is in the volume exported to Russia, which was 169% more than in 2019.  This was followed by France, whose imports grew 145% over year-ago levels. On the opposite side, exports to Saudi Arabia fell 68% and exports to Ukraine fell 59% compared to 2019.

The ‘melon, watermelon, and papaya’ category was the busiest fruit category during the period, increasing by 16% in relation to January to September 2019. Brazil signed an agreement with China at the end of 2019 that permitted the export of melon to the Asian country. In return, the Chinese were able to sell pears to the Brazilian market. The acts were signed after the bilateral meeting of Presidents Jair Bolsonaro and Xi Jinping, within the XI BRICS Summit, in Brasilia. The melon export agreement is symbolic, as it is the first understanding with China regarding fruit.

In addition to melon, exports of fresh dried grapes grew 32% in 2020. Banana exports, on the other hand, fell 16% for the period.

Mangoes recovered in the second half after beginning the year with a fall in exports. In addition to a greater demand for fruit, other countries that export mangoes, such as Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, had shorter harvests; since Brazil produces year-round, it was able to serve buyers in the windows that opened.

In October, Bolivia opened its market for table grapes and Brazilian avocado.

Ranking of Brazilian Fruit Exports | Jan to Sept 2019-2020 | TEU

Source: DataLiner

The Port of Natal, as it is located close to fruit-producing regions, mainly melon, occupies the leading position in exports, followed by Pecém, Santos, and Fortaleza.

With the beginning of the fruit season, for the second year in a row, Porto do Pecém is receiving the shipping line that connects Porto do Pecém with ports on the Mediterranean Sea, with the exclusive objective of exporting fruit. The line is part of the WMED service, operated since last year by MSC – Mediterranean Shipping Company, with the following route:

Spain: Valencia (9 days); Barcelona (11 days);

Italy: Genova (13 days); Livorno (14 days) and Gioia Tauro (16 days).

According to MSC, this is also the only service with a direct stopover between a port in northeastern Brazil and Italy. The route meets the growing demand of fruit growers who export part of their production to European countries, especially melon, produced in Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte, and mango and grapes, produced in the São Francisco River Valley.

Main Brazilian Fruit Exporting Ports (HS 08) | Jan to Sept 2020 | TEU

Source: DataLiner

Also according to DataLiner, the ‘melon, watermelon, and papaya’ category leads exports in the Port of Natal and is responsible for 52.4% of the total exports. This category of fruit is followed by dates, figs, pineapples, avocados, guavas, mangas, and mangosteens, responsible for 34.2% of exports.

Main Fruits exported by the Port of Natal | January to Sep 2020 | TEU

Source: DataLiner
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