Brazilian exports: slight decline overall but some remarkable performances

The coronavirus pandemic has led to a drop in fruit consumption, especially in Europe, reducing the total volume of Brazilian exports. However, some fruits recorded remarkable growth rates (+ 126%).

 

 

 

According to Abrafutas (Associação Brasileira dos Produtores Exportadores de Frutas e Derivados) in the first 3 months of 2020, Brazil exported more than 234,000 tonnes of fruit. A decrease of only 2% compared to the same period last year. But some fruits have experienced significant growth, such as avocado (126%), apple (56%) and lemon (46%).

 

 

 

In terms of sales, exports totaled $183 million, 8% less than in January-March 2019. Among the main fruits exported, there was a drop in shipments of orange (58%), grapes ( 44%), mango (23%) and melon (8%). The main factor behind this decline was lower quality caused by adverse weather factors.

 

 

 

"We recorded a significant increase for lemon, avocado and apple. In the case of lemon, the increased harvest in the 1st quarter of 2020 caused prices to fall on the domestic market and producers increased exports Among the favorable factors, the problems encountered by Mexican production have opened up spaces in the markets for our lemon", said Eduardo Brandão, Executive Director of Abrafrutas.