Brazil: Fresh fruit exports set a new record in 2011

Fresh and Dry fruit exports from Minas Gerais added up to US$6,200,000 in 2011. This is the highest value registered until now, with a 76.3% growth regarding the previous year. Info is from the State Secretary for Agriculture, Live-Stocking and Supplies (Seapa), based on data from the Ministry of Development, Industry and External Commerce (MDIC).

Shipped fruits amount also registered a expressive rise. 5,100,000 tons were exported, an increase of 71.2% regarding 2010 shipments. Lemon is the highlight among commercialized fruits. According to Márcia Aparecida de Paiva Silva, technical assistant for Seapa, lemon commerce moved US$4,200,000 and represented 68.6% of fruit's export turnover in Minas Gerais, in 2011.

Regarding 2010, lemon exports value grew 507.3% reaching the highest historical amount. The amount sent abroad reached 3,700,000 tons, a 510% expansion regarding 2010, also being a record.

Minas Gerais is the third biggest lemon exporter in Brazil. In 2011, external sales of fruit by Minas Gerais corresponds to 6.4% of the national exported value, a higher share than in the previous year (1.4%).

Markets

"The main destination for Minas Gerais lemon exports is the European market, that increased buying and contributed to the good performance of international fruit commerce", explained Márcia Paica. The Netherlands, leader in the buyers ranking, raised imports by 594.3%, reaching US$3,500,000.

Following this is the United Kingdom, Denmark and Portugal. United Kingdom imports grew 963.7%, reaching US$313,100,000. Denmark and Portugal didn't buy lemon from Minas Gerais in 2010, but, last year, took US$250,600,000 and US$204,100,000 on imports, respectively.

According to Márcia Silva, an important point to focus on is the market diversification. "Despite the economic problems in EU countries caused no problems on Minas Gerais sales, the strong dependency on consumer countries from the European block can cause problems to Brazilian exporters", she concluded.

Source: Secretary of Agriculture, Live-stocking and Supplies in Minas Gerais