Brazil is the 3rd largest fruit producer in the world, standing out in the international market. Discover the latest news and stay up to date in the fruit growing sector!
Brazil is one of the largest food producers in the world, with consolidated recognition in the international market. Although agriculture and livestock represent a significant share of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 2023 was marked as the year of fruit growing.
According to the Brazilian Association of Producers and Exporters of Fruits and Derivatives (Abrafrutas), the recorded production volume was 122.7 million tons.
Consequently, exports increased and the result was record sales on the international market.
In order to provide relevant information for the sector, ROMA presents the main trends for 2024 and the factors that contribute to increased production performance.
Economic scenario for fruit growing in Brazil
Brazil’s fruit growing sector achieved a sales record in 2023.
Revenue recorded from exports reached US$1.2 billion, according to information from the Secretariat of Foreign Trade (Secex). In other words, a growth of 26.3% compared to 2022.
Furthermore, the reasons that highlighted national production are: favorable climate, supply in off-season periods from other countries, improvement in logistical and production technologies (protected cultivation, for example), greater capacity for planted area, among others.
The diversity of products and the demand from international buyers even made it possible to create a ranking of the 10 most exported fresh fruits (by volume): mango, melon, grapes, Tahiti lemon (sour lime), watermelon, papaya, avocado, apple, banana and orange.
However, in 2024 fruit growers must pay attention to technical information in the sector. One of them was released by the Hortifruti Brasil team (Cepea/Esalq), in the first half of January.
While the South and Southeast regions will have to deal with the effects of the El Niño phenomenon, the Northeast should stand out in the 1st half of the year.
What are the most sold products?
Firstly, it is necessary to highlight that fruit growing, like other agricultural activities, involves the participation of other important characters, such as: input markets, production technologies, agricultural science specialists and the retail sector.
Due to these factors, fruit growing trends in Brazil for the year 2024 should start with economic projections, considering that revenue was obtained in dollars.
According to the president of Abrafrutas, Guilherme Coelho, the fruits that stood out most in foreign sales were:
Mango
– 51% in volume;
– 15% in value.
Grape
– 40% by volume;
– 57% in value.
Melon
– 21% in value;
– 3% by volume.
It is important to clarify that Brazil is the 3rd largest fruit producer in the world, with 950 thousand establishments producing 60 million tons.
Other positive information about the fruit growing sector are the social indicators, as it is one of the agricultural activities that generates the most employment, with 5 million people in the national territory.
What are the main trends for fruit growing in Brazil in 2024?
The positive results, in terms of volume and quality, in the fruit growing sector involve a series of techniques, highly technological and aligned with sustainable production practices.
Therefore, producers are investing in features such as: drones, sensors and devices equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Bioengineering
Bioengineering is an area of research that is gaining prominence in the sector.
With research focused on developing products that are more resistant to pests and diseases, genetic improvements also contribute to creating plants that are less vulnerable to adverse weather conditions.
Decarbonization
Another determining factor for fruit growing businesses is decarbonization.
The reduction in CO2 emissions is at the center of attention in the global market, as international legislation approved last year requires an emissions mitigation plan from producers and the food industry.
Protected cultivation
It is worth adding a production technique that is not new, protected cultivation.
With the technological improvements and functionalities implemented, the method will gain greater space in the market, due to one of its main benefits, the protection of crops in relation to climate change.
However, for this production model to achieve even more effective results, it is necessary to adopt management.
These include: efficient irrigation systems, integrated management of pests and diseases and materials that effectively protect plants against sunlight, hail and frost.
What’s new this semester for fruit growing in Brazil?
News for fruit growing in Brazil
Important news for the national fruit growing sector is the holding of Fruit Attraction, one of the main fes
