Brazil: Prata bananas to hit international markets thanks to massive irrigation project

Região do Jaíba is Latin America's largest irrigation project and, according to Heider L. Cabral, Abanorte's market manager, “a new benchmark for the fruit sector. This project started in 2012 in an area located in the northeastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, where the country's four major fruits (mangoes, bananas, papayas and Tahiti limes) are grown."

"The project, carried out by the Abanorte Association and its partners (Sebrae, Bid, Fieng, Governo de Minas Faeng, and INAES), is being developed in seven municipalities, i.e. in 10,829 square kilometres. The project is expected to strengthen the connection between producers and consumers via the use of QR codes that will provide traceability information and added value to the products of small producers," said Heider Cabral. 

According to Heider, they have been teaching many small producers, who were unaware of these concepts, the "new way of doing business, which includes adding value to your product if you want to stay in the market in the near future. These producers are embracing the idea and, most importantly, are enjoying the program," he said.

At present, there are some 20 producers participating in the first phase of the program but, Heider said, the program was open to the 2,400 producers present in the area. "Their products will be available in Brazil since late November and they will also provide the region with a new perspective for the international market, which we expect they will access in February 2015 at Fruit Logistica." 

The region's main agricultural product is the Prata banana, which accounts for 50% of the bananas consumed in the Brazilian market. "Most people abroad do not even know it. It's a tropical banana variety that is mainly grown in Brazil and that has several features that distinguish it from the Cavendish variety. It is easier to digest, has a slightly longer shelf life and does not brown as easily after being processed," said Heider Cabral. 

According to him, the mango, which has a powerful colour and more than 14 degrees Bris, has a unique advantage because its harvest season lasts ten months so it is possible to supply the market throughout the whole year. 

"Our Tahiti limes and Formosa papayas are already well known and consumed around the world with high rates of acceptance," he added. 

Even though the fruit produced in the area is grown via conventional methods, very few agrochemicals are used. According to Heider, this is because "our climate is unsuitable for the development of insects, fungi and bacteria, so producers need far fewer chemicals to grow healthier fresh fruit." 

Heider Cabral has high hopes for the long-term project: "We have more than 80,000 acres to develop. We're presenting the region to the world so we can attract more investment and expand it, allowing farmers to produce larger volumes of healthy fruits."