Rio Grande do Norte melon exports reach $54m as Canada market expands

Rio Grande do Norte melon exports reached about $54.3 million between January and August 2026, as the Brazilian state’s fruit sector looks to expand sales beyond its traditional European markets and gain ground in Canada.

The Canadian market, now the fifth-largest destination for melons from Rio Grande do Norte, accounted for $768,500 in purchases during the period, or about 1.4% of the state’s melon exports, according to data from the state’s Economic Development Secretariat, known as Sedec.

Most shipments still went to Spain, followed by the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, reinforcing the European Union’s central role in the state’s fruit trade.

New exporter targets Canada

The push into Canada gained momentum with the start of shipments by Agrícola Favorita, which expects to send 50 containers to the market by February 2027.

The company began operating a year ago on a 45-hectare area between the municipalities of Mossoró and Tibau, in western Rio Grande do Norte. Sales to Canada began only in the last week of August 2026, with one container of melons shipped per week.

Within about 30 days, Agrícola Favorita also plans to start exporting to European Union countries.

The company’s entry into Canada was supported by the RN+ Exportação program, a partnership between Sebrae RN and Sedec.

David Góis, business, innovation and technology manager at Sebrae-RN and one of the program’s coordinators, said the Canadian market is still small compared with the main destinations for the state’s fruit exports, but it is already ahead of some traditional European buyers.

“It is a relatively small market compared with the most important markets for fruit from Rio Grande do Norte, such as England, the Netherlands and Spain, but it is ahead of other traditional destinations, such as Italy and Germany. Today, Canada is supplied mainly by the United States, Mexico and Guatemala, supported by trade agreements and logistics advantages. However, it is a country that consumes a lot of melon, and Brazil can establish itself as a supplier, especially during the off-seasons of other countries,” Góis said.

Diversifying beyond Europe

Sedec said the consolidation of Canada as a market is an important step in diversifying destinations for Rio Grande do Norte’s fruit exports, which remain heavily concentrated in Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

“In this context, expanding our presence in a North American market reinforces the strategy of diversifying destinations for our fruit sector, broadens commercial opportunities and strengthens the sector’s international insertion,” the secretariat said.

According to Sedec, Agrícola Favorita’s first shipments also show the ability of Rio Grande do Norte producers to access demanding, higher-value markets.

“In addition to the direct effect on the company’s sales, the initiative can serve as a reference for other producers interested in expanding their own international presence,” Sedec said.

Agrícola Favorita’s management said that, in addition to support from RN+ Exportação, the Canadian market’s profile helped open the door for sales.

“It is a market that prefers large fruits, as is the case with melon,” the company said.

Starting this week, Agrícola Favorita will increase shipments to two containers per week. The company also pointed to logistics as one of the main challenges for the sector.

“Cargo outflow is a major bottleneck,” it said.

Logistics remains central to growth

Sedec highlighted Rio Grande do Norte’s favorable conditions for fruit production, especially melons. The state combines high solar incidence and natural growing conditions that allow productivity, quality and regular supply, making the region what the secretariat described as an “open-air greenhouse.”

From a logistics standpoint, the state also has assets that can support export growth. Sedec said the duplication of the BR-304 highway should help improve the flow of production from key growing areas to shipment points, reducing transit times and helping a highly perishable product reach markets in better condition.

The secretariat also pointed to structured port infrastructure as a key factor in ensuring greater efficiency, regularity and competitiveness in fruit shipments to international markets.

For Sedec, a successful Canadian operation could also encourage exports of other products from Rio Grande do Norte to the same market.

“When a company from the state is able to establish a regular trade route, overcome logistics and sanitary requirements and develop buyers abroad, it reduces part of the uncertainty for other companies interested in that market. In that sense, Agrícola Favorita’s experience can serve as a reference for other producers in Rio Grande do Norte,” the secretariat said.

See below the leading Brazilian ports for melon exports in the first seven months of the year. The data is from DataLiner:

Leading Ports for Melon Exports | Jan–Jul 2026 | WTMT

Source: DataLiner (Click here to request a demo)

Main destinations for Rio Grande do Norte melons

Between January and August 2026, the main buyers of melons from Rio Grande do Norte were:

• Spain: $22 million;
• Netherlands: $18.2 million;
• United Kingdom: $11.1 million;
• Norway: $843,200;
• Canada: $768,500.

Sedec said the figures show that Europe remains the main market for the state’s melon production, while Canada’s entry among the five largest destinations points to a diversification trend that should be watched in the coming months.

The 2026/2027 crop season is expected to generate $1.42 billion in foreign sales, according to the secretariat.

For Rio Grande do Norte melon exports, the advance into Canada adds a new North American outlet to a trade flow still led by Europe, while also underscoring the importance of logistics, sanitary compliance and cold-chain reliability for Brazil’s fresh fruit exporters.

Source: Tribuna do Norte

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