Exports to August up in value but down in volume due to production issues caused by adverse weather
Brazilian fruit exports grew 8.51 per cent in value between January and August 2024 compared to the same period last year, despite registering a 3.34 per cent fall in volume.
National fruit association Abrafrutas said exports had managed to maintain their upward trajectory in value despite challenging climatic conditions. The January-August period saw a notable increase in shipments of mangoes and limes, while export volumes of other fruits decreased, mainly due to excessive rainfall in the main producing regions.
The figures, published by the AgroStat/Mapa, show that mango exports grew 49.19 per cent in value to US$215m, despite registering a slight drop in volume (0.16 per cent) at 141,000 tonnes. This reflected the higher international prices, which offset the fall in export volume, Abrafrutas said.
Lemon and lime exports also showed significant growth, increasing by 14.52 per cent in value to US$155.7mn, and 9.16 per cent in volume. “This result reflects the growing international demand and the good acceptance of these fruits in the foreign market,” Abrafrutas noted.
Melon exports registered a 7.72 per cent increase in value to US$102mn, while shipment volumes grew 12.92 per cent to more than 133,000 tonnes. This was on the back of the recovery of production in areas that were less affected by the rains.
However, other fruits such as grapes experienced a decrease in both value and volume exported, attributed to the impact of excessive rains on the availability of fruit for export.
“Despite climatic challenges, Brazil’s fresh fruit sector continues to stand out internationally, driven by effective commercial strategies and high demand for tropical fruits. The resilience and adaptability of Brazilian producers are evident in the positive performance of fruits such as mangoes, lemons and melons,” Abrafrutas said.
