Excessive rainfall over the past two years has led to a decline of more than 200,000 tons in Brazil's apple production, mainly affecting the southern states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. According to the Brazilian Association of Apple Producers (ABPM), the 2024/2025 harvest totaled 420,000 tons, down from 620,000 tons during the 2020/2021 season. The reduction has coincided with the return of large-scale imports to meet domestic demand.
ABPM Executive Director Moisés Lopes de Albuquerque noted that 48% of Brazil's apple-planted area is in Rio Grande do Sul and another 48% in Santa Catarina, with both states maintaining comparable production levels. "We can say that Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina are the leading states in national fruit production, with irrelevant differences in volume," Albuquerque said. Climate disruptions have also driven Brazil to import 235,000 tons of apples last year, compared to the usual annual range of 50,000 to 60,000 tons. This was the highest import volume since 1996, when Brazil purchased 325,000 tons. Albuquerque expects production to recover as weather conditions stabilize in the coming months.
The 1st Vacaria Apple Festival will take place from October 22 to 26 in Vacaria, Rio Grande do Sul, marking the municipality's 175th anniversary. Vacaria accounts for 50% of the state's apple production and 24% of national production. The region leads apple exports, representing 83% of Brazil's total shipments to more than 40 countries, and holds 75% of the state's storage and processing capacity.
According to data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), Brazil's apple sector remains concentrated in five states, with the South region responsible for 98% of national output. Santa Catarina leads production with 572,000 tons harvested across 6,475 hectares, valued at approximately US$210 million, representing 58% of Brazil's total apple production value. Rio Grande do Sul follows with 435,000 tons from 6,475 hectares, valued at about US$131 million, or 36% of the national total.
Paraná ranks third with 29,000 tons harvested from 403 hectares and a production value of US$13.5 million. Minas Gerais produces 5,700 tons, while São Paulo follows with 4,700 tons, valued at around US$2.6 million. Between 2018 and 2022, Brazil's apple production value increased by 43%, though a 16% decline occurred between 2021 and 2022 due to weather impacts in Rio Grande do Sul. Santa Catarina's production value rose by 97% over the same period, while Minas Gerais grew by 300%. Average productivity per hectare remains 32% higher in Santa Catarina compared to Rio Grande do Sul.
Source: Abrafrutas
