Brazil: Melon exports to EU kept the balance in 2011

"Rio Grande do Norte" exported US$281,200,000 during 2011, which represents a 1.2% drop regarding 2010, when exports reached US$284,700,000. According to data from the Secretary of Economic Development (Sedec) melon was, once again, the main item on the export list, with sales of US$50,600,000, for a 10.6% growth regarding 2010 (that ended with US$45,700,000 exported).

Another positive data for melon producers is the rise in the average price for the external market. While in 2010 71,500, tons were commercialized, in 2011 the amount was 72,100 tons. According to the coordinator for the Commercial Development at Sedec, Otomar Lopes Cardoso Junior, this means that the exported amount grew just 0.9% and the average value had a 9.6% rise.

"The best price obtained is also the result of a product offer policy with a higher added value (melon with better prices at buying market), a strategy that producers have announced in previous years to be an alternative to the consumption crisis is the production of selected melons with better prices", as analyzed by Otomar Cardoso.

Fruit culture takes a relevant place on sales to the external market, with banana taking the 5th place (US$13,600,000), mango taking the 8th place (US10,800,000), watermelon in 12th (US$6,000,000) and Carica papaya in 19th position (US$4,000,000). Adding up the melon and the cashew nut, main exports from Rio Grande do Norte reached US$135,200,000, representing 48% of all external sales made in 2011.

Source: Diario de Natal