São Paulo – The Brazilian fruit sector broke a record by reaching USD 1 billion in exports in 2021. The country shipped around 1.2 million tonnes of fruit to the global market, a volume 18% higher than the previous year. Revenue reached USD 1.06 billion, up 20% in the same comparison. Data is from the Brazilian Association of Exporting Producers of Fruits and Derivatives (Abrafrutas).
Sales abroad intensified and became more attractive due to the appreciation of the dollar and euro against the local currency, the Brazilian real, according to Abrafrutas, which resulted in the long-awaited achievement.
The weather was another factor favoring production. The country had good harvests, increasing productivity and quality, especially for the most exported crops.
Data also showed increased consumption of healthy foods since the pandemic outbreak to increase immunity, resulting in increased fruit sales in the domestic and foreign markets.
Mango was the most exported fruit in 2021. Around 272,500 tonnes were shipped, a 12% expansion compared to 2020.
The highlight was the apple, which grew 79% in revenue and 58% in volume compared to 2020. Ninety-nine thousand tonnes were sold to the global market, mainly to Europe, accounting for around 70% of shipments of Brazilian fruit.
Grape also saw an upsurge in exports in 2021, with a 55% boost in volume and 43% in revenue. Papaya, lemon, and melon also had significant expansions.
December
In December 2021, 131,400 tonnes of Brazilian fruit were exported, a volume 6% higher than in December 2020. There was a 3% gain in revenue, with USD 109.2 million in the period.
“Brazil is a major producer of fruit, and, in addition to that, our fruits are of the highest quality and extremely flavorful, so we are increasingly gaining the taste of worldwide consumers. In addition, people are searching for healthier foods, and I usually say there is nothing healthier than fruits,” stated in a note Guilherme Coelho, president of Abrafrutas.
Coelho highlighted the sector entity as a critical factor to achieve the result. “Since 2014, when our association was established, the sector has been better organized and, more maturely, producers have been able to take more advantage of the opportunities that have arisen. In addition, the partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil), through the Brazilian Fruit project, fostered the advertising of our fruits in the global market, favoring the achievement of this USD 1 billion mark in exports revenue,” he said.
Brazil’s export fruits have international certifications, such as Global Gap, Rainforest Alliance, GRASP, Fair Trade, Tesco Nurture, BSCI, and HACCP/APPCC. This agribusiness sector generates the most jobs in Brazil, about 5.5 million.
Abrafrutas has intensified its work, established ties, opened new markets, and expanded existing ones in partnership with the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply (MAPA). This week, exports of Brazilian limes to Chile have been initiated.
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
