The value of Brazilian fresh fruit exports rose 34 per cent to US$642m in 2007 according to Brazilian fruit institute IBRAF. In volume terms exports increased by 14 per cent to 918,700 tonnes compared with 805,000 tonnes in 2006.
Grapes were the most valuable commodity, accounting for US$170m of exports, followed by melons on US$128m and mangoes on US$90m.
“Table grapes represent one of the fastest growing export categories, mainly due to the growing supply of seedless varieties,” said IBRAF’s Moacyr Saraiva Fernandes. “Last year alone exports increased by almost 30 per cent.”
He said melons were also performing well because of quality improvements and increased production of added value varieties such as Galia, Cantaloupe and Orange Flesh. In 2007 melon exports reached 204,500 tonnes, a rise of 18 per cent on the previous year.
The US absorbs just 7 per cent of Brazil’s fresh fruit exports, but Mr Saraiva said the strength of the dollar against the real, coupled with strict phytosanitary regulations, restricted sendings to this market.
“The US is an interesting market for the Brazilian fruit industry, but its development is dependent on the easing of phytosanitary and commercial barriers by the US authorities,” he said. “The other problem is the bioterrorism law that often causes delays to fruit shipments.”
