The 2022/23 Santa Catarina dragon fruit crop has ended up with more than 2,500 tons of fruit sold, a 40% growth compared to the previous crop and an economic movement of R$15 million for the state. A production survey collected data from the cooperatives Cooperja, from Jacinto Machado and Coopervalesul, from Turvo, in addition to wholesalers in the southern region of Santa Catarina, where fruit production in the state is concentrated.
According to agronomist Ricardo Martins, Epagri's rural extension worker in Maracajá, the increase in production is partly due to the increase in planted area, but mainly due to the fact that most orchards are in the adult stage, resulting in greater production. “The numbers could have been better if we hadn't faced climatic problems such as high temperatures and water stress (dehydration of the plant), which jeopardized the development of fruits with commercial standards”, Ricardo explains.
Most of the production was sold by cooperatives in distribution centers such as Ceagesp and Ceasa, with the domestic market being the main consumer.
Source: abrafrutas.org
