Huge rise in Brazil fruit shipments

Brazil’s fruit exports soared 21% in the first six months of 2019. Abrafrutas (the Brazilian association of fruit producers-exporters) announced that grape export volumes are up an astonishing 224%. The reason for the huge increase is mainly due to the favourable weather conditions compared with previous years, when fruit did not reach export quality. Most of Brazil’s grape varieties are seedless.

Brazil’s other major fruits have also enjoyed a good first half of 2019. Exports of banana are up 57%, mango shipments have risen 56% and melon exports have increased by 39%.

Mango is Brazil’s main fruit export, with the country shipping nearly 7,500 tons, for a value of US$81.7 million. Next come lemon and lime (6,500 tons, US$65.9 million), followed by melons (9,100 tons, worth US$57.7 million). The main market for Brazilian fruit exports is the EU.