The first batch of guava from Carlópolis exported directly by the Carlópolis Agroindustrial Cooperative (COAC) arrived in Europe on 20 November, totaling 420 kilograms of fresh fruit transported by air. The destination country was not disclosed due to contractual terms. According to COAC, the shipment achieved a price three times higher than the domestic market average.
This operation was carried out without intermediaries, a change that reduces costs and increases producer margins. Previous exports were made through traders, a channel that COAC notes will still remain available for future use.
The guava from Carlópolis holds Geographical Indication status and meets GlobalGAP requirements for quality, traceability, and production practices. According to Eduardo Brandão, executive director of the Brazilian Association of Fruit and Derivative Producers and Exporters, "This is the first of many direct exports that will come through COAC, as I am certain that it is the best guava in the world." He said the cooperative's organisation and fruit quality have been monitored since 2017, when Carlópolis guava was presented at Fruit Attraction.
COAC president and rural producer Inês Yumiko Sasaki said the direct sale model improves margins and reduces transport time. "This means that the end consumer will be able to buy a fresher and sweeter guava," she said. According to Júnior Silveira of Xportare, the company facilitating sales between COAC and the European market, the cooperative followed up on contacts established during Fruit Attraction in Madrid by meeting buyer requirements and completing its first direct shipment.
Silveira added that COAC complies with European safety, phytosanitary, and documentation requirements. Technical support from Sebrae/PR, the city administration, the Secretariat of Agriculture and Supply (Seab), and the Rural Development Institute of Paraná (IDR-Paraná) has contributed to the region's production capacity since 2015, when the area's potential was identified.
COAC also applies staggered pruning to maintain year-round fruit availability. International sales through traders have taken place since 2020, with 340 tonnes exported between 2020 and 2024, mainly to Europe. The current change involves COAC negotiating directly with foreign buyers, which Silveira says allows the cooperative to capture the full sales value and adapt shipments more closely to market specifications.
Source: Abrafrutas
