Brazil: Melon exports to China have begun

The climate remains quite dry in Brazil. Not much rain has fallen on the melon-producing areas of North East Brazil, in the states of Rio Grande do Norte, Ceara and Pernambuco. At the moment, producers expect the harvest to begin in August.

Due to the dry climate, there has been an increase in plagues affecting melon crops, due to which the producers have to invest more time and money in treatments to control those plagues.

The main varieties of melon in Brazil are Piel de Sapo, Galia and Yellow Honeydew, but other varieties are also grown, like Cantaloupes.

This season offers good prospects for melons, for both exports and sales within the Brazilian market, which is still a very strong and attractive one for Brazilian producers and retailers. Firms are investing in agricultural technology to minimise costs in labour and make the business more profitable.

China is quite an interesting market for Brazilian melon exporters. Exporters believe that there is a huge market for their melons in China and have begun sending their fruit to the Asian country. Despite the long transit time, the fruit is expected to arrive to the Chinese market in very good quality conditions.