Unfavorable weather causes fruit exports to fall in the first half, says association

The rainy weather caused fruit exports from Brazil to drop 11% in the first half of 2022, compared to the same period last year. This is what data from the Brazilian Association of Producers and Exporters of Fruits and Derivatives (Abrafrutas) show. The main crops affected were mango, grape and apple.

The reduction in the volume and value exported is explained by the loss of productivity and quality of the fruits produced, caused by a higher-than-expected rainfall for the period.

The apple harvest showed a 30% reduction in harvest, due to the drought in the south of the country, which reduced the size of the fruit and affected the productivity of planting.

Abrafrutas Executive Director Eduardo Brandão points out that, even with the expectation of improvements for the second half of the year, this year’s results should not exceed those of 2021.

“The forecast for the coming months is for favorable weather, which will likely result in improved fruit quality and productivity. With that, we will grow again. We know that, due to the performance in the first half, it will be difficult for us to surpass 2021. However, the volume of exports grows in the last six months of the year. So we are hoping to at least match the numbers,” he says.

In addition to the climate factor, another issue that impacts Brazilian fruit production is the variation in European demand. Historically, Central America usually sends large amounts of fruit to the continent. However, geopolitical phenomena such as the War in Ukraine directly affect demand.

In 2022, orange exports had the biggest drop, with 95% of the weight shipped. Then come the date, which fell by 94%, apple, with 63% and tangerine, with 62%. Exports of grapes (45%), plums (38%), cherries (34%), papayas and mangoes (17%), as well as persimmons and pears (1%).

Although the trend in the sector was a decline in the Brazilian market during the period, some fruits recorded an increase in exported volume, such as melon (9%), lemon (14%) and watermelon (20%).

Source: CNN Brasil