Brazil's fruit export sector experienced a 26% increase in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in the previous year, according to data from the National Supply Company (Conab). The information was detailed in the 4th Bulletin of the Brazilian Program for the Modernization of the Horticultural Market (Prohort), which reported that 301,000 tons of fruit were exported between January and March. Revenue for this period reached USD 311 million, marking a 7% increase over Q1 2024 and a 23% rise from the same timeframe in 2023.
The primary exporting states included Rio Grande do Norte, Ceará, São Paulo, and Pernambuco. The leading importers of Brazilian fruit were the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Spain. Among the most exported fruits were melons, watermelons, lemons, limes, mangoes, and bananas.
Banana exports in the first quarter of 2025 totaled 15,700 tons, reflecting a 131.2% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. Watermelon exports saw a 90% rise compared to Q1 2024, with 53,000 tons exported and revenue reaching USD 32.1 million for the quarter, a 91% increase from last year.
Apple exports for Q1 2025 reached 2,570 tons, marking an 85.6% increase year-on-year. The revenue for this period was USD 2.8 million, representing a 93.6% increase compared to the same timeframe in 2024. Papaya exports totaled 13,360 tons in Q1 2025, up 28.2% from the same period in 2024, with revenue hitting USD 17.1 million, a 31% increase.
Conversely, orange exports in the first three months of 2025 reached 125.7 tons, a 52% decrease from the same period in 2024. March exports were 68% lower compared to March 2024. At Ceasa markets, fruit imports analyzed in the report totaled 1,150 tons, a 9.5% increase compared to February 2025.
Brazilian orange juice exports reached 528,700 tons, experiencing a 22.8% drop in Q1 2025. March exports were down 33.2% compared to March 2024 but saw a 22.4% increase from February 2025. Conab forecasts continued lower shipments, citing reduced demand in Europe and the U.S. due to high juice prices and a decreased supply for processing caused by lower production in the citrus belt and declining fruit quality.
Source: Datamar News