São Paulo – Brazilian fruit exports to Arab countries are expected to be up next year, Brazilian Fruit Growers-Exporters Association (Abrafrutas) executive director Eduardo Brandão pointed out. The main fruits exported to the Middle East and Asia are melons, grapes, mangos, and limes, according to the association.
“We expect an increase in fruit exports to the Middle East bloc (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and United Arab Emirates). And the Asian continent, too, particularly China and South Korea. Our fruits have quality and are greatly appreciated in these countries,” Brandão was quoted as saying in a press release.
Year to date through October, 725,000 tonnes were exported. The association points out a year-on-year 2.8% increase. “Exports are expected to peak in the last quarter, when we usually see a larger demand from other countries. We intend to end the year with a revenue at USD1 billion. If we can’t reach it, we’ll be very close. It will depend on the exchange,” Brandão said.
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For the director, the Middle Eastern market potential stands out, as it imported around 15,000 tonnes of fruits in 2019. Among the Arabs, the UAE was the top buyer in 2019, reaching 13th place in the overall ranking of Brazilian fruit importers.
One initiative that could help Brazilians to stand out in this market is acquiring the halal certificate. It proves that a product was manufactured according to the Muslim precepts and therefore is fit for their consumption. In a press release, Brazilian certifier Cdial Halal commercial manager Omar Chahine stressed that the certification has been increasingly demanded in the Arab countries and elsewhere. “In addition to being acknowledged as an evidence of good production, security and quality practices, the halal certification has been demanded even in non-Arab, non-Muslim countries such as Japan, China and Canada. Previously, it was enough that the export product had the certificate, but now most importers require the halal certificate in the entire production chain,” Chahine said.
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