The 2024/2025 passion fruit harvest in Santa Catarina closed with an estimated production of 56,800 tons, a 26.2% increase compared to 45,000 tons in the previous season. Average orchard productivity was 28.4 tons per hectare, compared with 22.5 tons per hectare in 2023/2024. The survey was conducted by Epagri in cooperation with wholesalers and Cooperja in the south of the state, the main production area.
The increase occurred despite limited rainfall linked to the La Niña climate phenomenon. "Despite the increase in production compared to the previous harvest, there were periods of drought that limited the productivity of the orchards without irrigation. In addition to the drought, we had excessive temperatures in January, which influenced flower formation. The main flowering period for passion fruit trees is precisely in January," said Eusébio Pasini Tonetto, leader of Epagri's Fruit Growing Program in Southern Santa Catarina.
Average prices ranged between R$2.30 and R$2.50 (US$0.41–0.45) per kilo, generating a gross production value of R$135 million (US$24 million) for the state economy.
Since the detection of the fruit hardening virus in 2016, productivity has nonetheless increased by 57.7% between 2018 and 2024. According to agricultural engineer Diego Adílio da Silva of Epagri in Cocal do Sul, this growth is linked to improved sanitary conditions and seedling quality. Taller seedlings, above 0.8 m, are now being produced under the Safe Passion Fruit Seedlings program. Since its inception, 67 projects have been carried out, with investments of more than R$1.3 million (US$235,000) by the State Secretariat of Agriculture and Livestock (Sape).
Other factors supporting yield improvements include fertilizer management, cultural practices, pest and disease control, and the adoption of the cultivar SCS437 Catarina, registered by Epagri in 2015. "In addition, we developed technologies and publications for balanced fertilization and pest and disease control at appropriate times," said Silva.
He also noted the need for further technological development in sprayer regulation and application of phytosanitary products, as well as advances toward integrated production systems.
To mitigate drought effects, 93 irrigation credit proposals were prepared through Sape's Water for All Program in 2024 and 2025 (up to August), covering 127 hectares.
Currently, about 1,000 families grow passion fruit in Santa Catarina on more than 2,000 hectares. The state is Brazil's third-largest producer, after Ceará and Bahia. Southern Santa Catarina accounts for 90% of the planted area, with harvest running from December to mid-July.
Source: Abrafrutas
