How Brazil can unlock its full potential in fruit exports

The Brazilian Association of Fruit and Derivative Producers and Exporters (Abrafrutas) is on a mission to expand Brazil’s fruit exports by unlocking new markets and showcasing the industry’s full potential.

Despite being the world’s third-largest fruit producer, Brazil ranks only 23rd in global exports. Abrafrutas aims to bridge this gap. “There are very few bilateral agreements that support fruit exports,” says Waldir Promicia, founder and director of the association.

In 2024, Brazil exported around 1 million tons of fruit, generating $1.2 billion (R$ 7 billion) in revenue. While this marks a 3% increase in value, the total volume exported saw a slight 0.85% decline compared to 2023.

“Brazil is already a major exporter of mangoes, lemons, melons, and grapes. With the right markets, we can scale up production even further — after all, we have over 2.6 million hectares dedicated to fruit farming,” explains Promicia.

However, the real challenge isn’t production — it’s trade negotiations. “We need to simplify regulations, reduce bureaucracy, and secure access to new markets. Brazil has never had a strong policy for boosting fruit exports because we rely so much on domestic demand,” Promicia points out.

Currently, the European Union is the largest buyer of Brazilian fruit, with Germany, England, and the Netherlands leading the imports. Other key markets include the United Arab Emirates and the United States, though exports to the U.S. remain limited.

To improve global trade access, Promicia urges the Brazilian government to take a stronger stance in negotiations. “We submit trade requests, and some countries take up to two years to respond. We need key political figures to step in and accelerate the process,” he emphasizes.

source: abrafrutas.org

photo: tudogostoso.com.br