While Brazil mourns the loss of 65 people, following a deadly mud slides amidst a record downpour of 682 mm of rain, export fruit has not been affected. According to According to Jorge de Souza, technical and project manager at the Brazilian Fruit Growers and Exporters Association (ABRAFRUTAS) only domestic fruit production has been affected.
The rain and mudslides hit the coastal area of Barra do Sahy, in São Sebastião, on the northern coast of the State of São Paulo over the weekend of 18 and 19 February. Rescue efforts were under way the past week while electricity and water shortages were also experienced. The rescue teams along with the state government decided over the past weekend to switch to another mode after thousands of people were displaced.
“The region seriously affected by the rain does not produce fruits for export, only for domestic consumption. In summary, fruit supply was not affected by the rain, only infrastructure such as roads, houses, electric energy, etc.” stated de Souza.
The other part of the State of São Paulo, which was not affected by the mudslides, is where the banana, avocado, persimmon, figs and tangerines are produced for export.
For more information:
Jorge de Souza
Abrafrutas
Tel: +55 38999 628450
Email: George.souza@frutasdobrazil.org
www.abrafrutas.org