Demand for sweet potatoes from Brazil has grown in Europe. Cassiano Berol, from the Brazilian exporter Agricola Plantar: "Due to the challenges with drought in Europe, with Spain and Portugal, who are both sweet potato producers, and recent heavy rains in Honduras, which is also an important sweet potato supplier to Europe, sweet potato demand in Brazil has increased recently."
He says Brazilian growers cultivate sweet potatoes all year round in different areas of farmland that stretches across eight million square kilometers of Brazilian territory. "This means that our distributors can have our sweet potato regularly in Europe every single week of the year, allowing us to then develop steady business with our customers. Our key markets are Europe, Canada, Uruguay and Argentina. The cost of sweet potatoes in Brazil is approximately $1,10 to $1,50 per kg FOB, depending on the variety, sizes, Cat, and period of the year."
Agricola Plantar is located in Jundiai-SP, an inner city on São Paulo estate. "This is close to our main growers, sea port, and logistics agents. We've been loading sweet potatoes that is our flagship product, but we'll also have limes and ginger soon, as they are important products for the Brazilian mix of products. We're loading with farmers in São Paulo that has been supplying us for over 20 years. We found a way to work with them, by very closely following all situations while cooperating with them. On the other hand we bring produce to our customers in Europe, no matter the situation we see on the Brazilian crops."
He says the biggest regions in Brazil that grows sweet potato are: "The Northeast with 317,300 tons, South with 252,900 tons and the Southeast with 214,000 tons. The region that shows the biggest production is Rio Grande do Sul, with 175,000 tons, followed by São Paulo with 141,700 tons. Brazil has lots of areas with different climates for many agricultural products, meaning that we expect it may be a good solution as a sweet potato supplier. Logistically Brazil is also a good option as we have a 15 day transit time to Europe and the USA. There is no need to navigate on the Pacific Ocean waters via the Panama Canal or through conflict areas, etc."
Berol says they are not affected by the Red Sea and Panama Canal delays. "We are not at all affected. We keep delivering on time. We only use the Atlantic ocean route."
For more information:
Cassiano Berol
Agricola Plantar
Tel: +55 11 9 9676-8378
Email: cassiano@agricola-plantar.com.br / frederico@agricola-plantar.com.br
www.agricola-plantar.com.br