Brazil's apple exports have been affected by the low supply and poor quality of the fruit. Meanwhile, the smaller harvest has driven prices up, making the domestic market more attractive, according to an analysis of CEPEA.
From January to March, the volume shipped overseas totalled 18,000 tonnes; 42% below the figure registered in the first quarter of 2013 and the lowest since 2006, when the country exported 12,000 tonnes, according to the Secretariat of Foreign Trade (SECEX) of the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade.
The revenue generated by exports in the first three months of this year amounted to $ 12 million; down 46% compared to the same period last year.
Although the fruit's exports are lower, producers estimate that the supply of processed apple will be greater than last year; therefore, there may be an increase in juice processing and in the exports of this product.
With information from CEPEA