Fresh fruit and vegetable exporters in Brazil are aiming to increase their presence in the key European market of Russia, following on from the success of other food categories shipped from the South American country.
Brazil's minister of agriculture Eduardo Marquez Sampo told local press that fruit export volumes remained relatively low, particularly as Russia is seen as a high-priority market for exporters, FoodBizDaily reported.
Producers and Exporters in Brazil are now looking at shipping greater volumes of grapes, bananas and other fruits, Mr Sampo added, noting that there were particular opportunities for bananas, which accounts for 14.4 per cent of the overall Russian fruit import market.
Banana consumption in eastern European countries stands at 8.10kg per person per year, with Russian consumption coming in at 4.9kg per person per year, indicating room for growth in the market, according to Mr Sampo.
Currently, Brazil's top exports to Russia are cattle meat, pork, poultry, sugar and tobacco.
