Both varieties also have different prices. "Historically, the Golden papaya has a lower price per kilo, but this year we had a huge production problem as a result of El Niño," acknowledges the grower. Due to the lack of rainfall, volumes have fallen sharply and the price of the Golden has soared over the past three months, exceeding that of the Formosa. "Currently, a 2.5 kg box of Golden costs around $ 4.50, which is about the same as the price for a 4.5 kg box of Formosa."
Brazil grows papayas all year round. This fruit requires a crop rotation every so often, but, if planned well, it is a profitable crop with very stable prices and volumes. The company Interfruit grows two varieties for export: the Golden, which is smaller, in the region of Linhares (Espirito Santo), and the larger Formosa in the country's north east. "We are producers and exporters; we also buy a little from the local market. Basically, that's our business: we are focused on production and supply the international market," affirms de Oliveira.
Brazil exports papayas to the US and Europe. To be able to export to the US, the papayas must undergo heat treatment and traceability controls, so not all processing plants in Brazil are eligible to export to the United States. Meanwhile, Europe has very strict requirements when it comes to minimum residue levels. Interfruit has several certifications, including GlobalGAP, Fair for Life (for its products, as well as for the company) and Range.
The company does not only export its own papayas, but also those of other producers in the region, with whom it shares its technical expertise. Papayas are a crop that have to be replaced after 10 to 12 months in order to rotate the crops and plan the placement of the plantations months in advance. That is why the fruit is planted in small areas and in different regions.
Brazilian papayas are exported 52 weeks a year, although the worst period is the winter months, due to the difference between day and night temperatures, which slows down the production process and affects the fruit’s external appearance. Also, at that time, the European market has many other cheaper summer fruits on offer. "Papayas are sold for 3 €/kg, while other products cost only 1 €/kg, so people tend to consume other fruits, such as melons," states De Oliveira, who expects a good season and stresses that the papaya campaign depends heavily on the planning carried out 8 months in advance.
The demand for papayas is on the rise. De Oliveira ranks them in third place in the list of fastest growing tropical fruits, behind mangoes and limes. The Formosa variety is growing faster than the Golden, and De Oliveira believes that this is because, in the past, Brazil exported a variety similar to the Golden, with higher yields but with worse taste, and that the switch from that variety to the Formosa has greatly improved the fruit’s demand. Another reason is the increased supply from Ecuador, Brazil’s main competitor, which produces a variety that is similar to the Golden called Solo Sunrise, although with a much smaller volume. Regarding the competitors for the Formosa variety, the Canary Islands and Asia have similar varieties, but their markets are very large and they also import from Brazil.
"The production of papayas is very stable in Brazil, which is important in order to be able to supply the fruit all year round. If nothing unexpected happens with the weather, both the volume and prices should remain stable," he explains. All exports are carried by air, to make sure the products are always fresh, and can reach supermarkets in Europe 4 or 5 days after the harvest, according to the exporter. They have a shelf life of between 7 and 10 days, depending on the time when they are harvested, as the ripening cycle continues after the fruit’s harvest.
More information:Fábio de Oliveira Gomes
Interfruit Alimentos Ltda.
T: + 55 (11) 2366-7406
E: fabio@papaya.com.br
www.papaya.com.br