The Brazilian export of fresh fruit and vegetables was 6% down in 2014, compared to the previous year. In total almost 680,000 tonnes was exported, compared to 720,000 tonnes in 2013. The record year was in 2008, when 990,000 tonnes was exported.
In 2013, globally, Brazil was the 22nd exporter of fresh fruit in volumes. Brazil hardly exports fresh vegetables any more. The export in 2014 represented a value of 640 million dollars. This is only a fraction of the Brazilian goods export. It was worth 225 billion dollars in 2014. China is the growing market for the Brazilian export with a share of 18% in 2014. This means China has surpassed the United States as a sales market. The Netherlands is the fourth buyer for Brazil, with an export of 13 billion dollars in 2014, 6% of the total Brazilian export.
Almost two thirds of the Brazilian export of lemons and avocados goes to the Netherlands. The Netherlands is the main buyer of Brazilian produce by far. In 2014 261,000 tonnes was exported to the Netherlands. This was a small 40% of the total Brazilian export of fresh fruit and vegetables. The Netherlands' importance is still growing slightly. In order of size, melons, mangos, lemons, watermelons, grapes, apples, bananas, papayas and avocado are the most important. The Netherlands' share is the largest in the Brazilian export of lemons and avocados, over 60%. With regards watermelons and grapes the export to the Netherlands is over half of the total share. For mangos it is slightly less than half and the main product, melons, is around 40%.
United Kingdom is second buyer; strong decrease in export to Germany
The United Kingdom is the second most important buyer. 2014's 121,000 tonnes were worth 18% of the total export. Spain is the third buyer with a share of 13%. It is followed by Uruguay, the US and Argentina. Over the course of the years the export to neighbouring country Argentina has decreased strongly. In 2014 the (direct) export decreased strongly. This was mainly for bananas but less products such as apples, grapes and melons went (directly) to Germany. The export of papayas to Germany did, however, grow in 2014.
The direct export was around 18,400 tonnes compared to 28,100 tonnes in 2013. In that year the German importing statistics indicated an import of over 90,000 tonnes of fresh fruits and vegetables. Over the years the United Arab Emirates is the only real growing market. In 2014 14,200 tonnes was exported there (directly). Lemons and melons are the main products.
Melons and mangos most important
Melons (excl. watermelons) are by far the main product, with a share of almost 30% of the total fresh fruits and vegetables. In 2014 it was 197,000 tonnes. More than in previous years, but less than in 2007 and 2008.
Mangos are the second product, with an export of 133,000 tonnes last year. This is also slightly more than in previous years. Lemons are the third export product and the amount grew to 92,300 tonnes in 2014. Bananas are the fourth product, but Brazil is only a small player in the global banana market. Brazil's export is rapidly declining, to only 83,500 tonnes in 2014. Ten years ago it was still over 200,000 tonnes.
Free fall in export of apples
The export of apples had almost a free fall in 2014. In 2014 it was only 44,300 tonnes. This was a reduction of almost half compared to 2013's 85,400 tonnes. In 2007 and 2008 more than 100,000 tonnes of Brazilian apples were exported. The quality and sorting of the apples were bad due to unfavourable weather conditions.
The export of Brazilian papaya is growing steadily again and is back at the level of ten years ago with 33,700 tonnes.
Watermelons are a constant factor with an export of around 30,000 tonnes. Grapes on the other hand are a product that Brazil is finding more difficult to sell abroad. The same goes for fresh oranges. Brazil is the largest export of (frozen, concentrated) orange juice by a distance. In 2014 it had a value of 2 billion dollars. The growth of avocados stands out among the smaller products: 5,800 tonnes last year.
Watermelons are a constant factor with an export of around 30,000 tonnes. Grapes on the other hand are a product that Brazil is finding more difficult to sell abroad. The same goes for fresh oranges. Brazil is the largest export of (frozen, concentrated) orange juice by a distance. In 2014 it had a value of 2 billion dollars. The growth of avocados stands out among the smaller products: 5,800 tonnes last year.
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For more information:
Fruit & Vegetable Facts
Jan Kees Boon
+31 6 54 687 684
www.fruitandvegetablefacts.com
fruitvegfacts@gmail.com