Producers in Brazil's São Francisco Valley describe the São Francisco River as the central driver of irrigated fruit cultivation in the semi-arid Northeast. Growers note that the river provides the water security needed for commercial-scale agriculture in a region with roughly 330 days of sunlight per year. One producer states: "The mango tree, for example, needs nothing more than sunlight and water at its base, a perfect scenario for a region with 330 days of sunshine a year."
With irrigation supplied by the river, growers are not dependent on irregular rainfall and can manage plant cycles closely. This allows production of up to 2.5 harvests per year in mangoes, compared with a single harvest in many competing regions. The region's low relative humidity and high solar radiation also support controlled flowering and sugar accumulation. According to growers, water control directly influences Brix levels, improving the competitiveness of fruit in export markets.
Mangoes remain the dominant irrigated crop in the São Francisco Valley, with the region producing almost 90% of Brazil's export volume. Irrigation enables floral induction throughout the year, aligning harvest windows with periods when other producing countries have limited supply. Grapes and other fruit crops also rely on the same controlled irrigation practices.
Irrigation technologies such as drip systems and fertigation are widely applied, delivering water and nutrients directly to the root zone to reduce losses. Micro-sprinkling systems are also used to maintain uniform water application at low flow rates. These systems allow growers to interrupt vegetative growth, induce flowering, and schedule harvests based on market demand.
The economic effects extend beyond primary production in Petrolina (Pernambuco) and Juazeiro (Bahia). Estimates indicate that each irrigated hectare of mango generates one to two direct jobs, with additional employment in processing sectors such as juice. Export programs linked to the "Vale Seal" have expanded access to markets in the United States, Europe, and Asia, bringing income in euros and U.S. dollars.
Quality testing and agronomic management practices continue to be central to production. Growers and technicians report that the combination of secure irrigation, controlled fertigation, and climatic conditions supports high yields and consistent fruit quality in the São Francisco Valley.
What was once a drought-prone region now operates as an irrigated fruit hub with intensive management systems for year-round supply.
Source: The afternoon / Abrafrutas
