Brazil is set to make a splash at this year’s Fruit Logistica with its eighth appearance at the Berlin fair, with an increased focus on UK business.

The US and the EU constitute the two main destinations for Brazilian fruit exports and the Brazilian Fruit Institute (IBRAF) expects it will see an increase in demand from both of them over 2010.

In addition, Brazil will be diversifying its markets in accordance with a study carried out by Apex-Brasil which identifies countries presenting interesting opportunities for Brazilian fruit, such as the UAE, England, Russia, Canada and Hong Kong.

Brazilian producers, exporters, associations and government bodies will occupy an area of 300sqm at the Messe Berlin event.

IBRAF executive manager Valeska de Oliveira said: “Brazil is focusing on increasing its international market share and we hope that 2010 will bring a more positive outlook for Brazilian fruit exports.

“As part of this process, Brazil’s participation at Fruit Logistica will be greater in 2010, featuring companies that have already consolidated themselves in the international market, as well as newcomers who will be participating for the first time and are seeking to make trade contacts in order to begin exporting.”

2008 saw a total production of 42.6 million tonnes of fruit from 2.2m hectares spread over the entire country, albeit mainly concentrated in the south-eastern, north-eastern and southern regions, predominantly in the states of São Paulo, Bahia and Rio Grande do Sul.

Some 888,000t of fresh fruit were exported in 2008, while the figure for January to November, in 2009, of total Brazilian fruit exports reached 707,000t, meaning that fruit exports for the year suffered a small decrease in comparison to 2008, mainly due to reduced demand as a result of the global economic crisis.

De Oliveira added: “It is important to show that, behind the fruit presented to the international market, there is a significant amount of research and technology involved in constantly meeting the growing demands of consumers.”

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