A new industry association has been set up in Brazil to help the country’s fruit exports reach new global markets.
Abrafrutas, the Brazilian Association of Fruit Producers and Exporters, was created at the end of last year with the support of the Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock (CNA), it was officially launched at CNA’s headquarters in Brasilia on 18 March. Luiz Roberto Barcelos of Agrícola Famosa (pictured), one of Brazil’s biggest fruit exporters, has been named president of the new association.
Abrafrutas will work in conjunction with CNA to consolidate Brazil’s position in existing markets and open new markets, including Asia and North America. At present, the country relies heavily on the European Union, which absorbs more than three-quarters of fruit shipments. Apples are the country’s number one export item, with annual shipments in excess of 180,000 tonnes.
To help boost Brazil’s export offer, the country has also established a Fruit Fund which will be used to strengthen the country’s grower base and improve productivity.
Brazil is the third largest fruit producer in the world behind China and India, with annual exports of 693,999 tonnes worth US$619m.
