Progression in Brazil’s fruit sector in the coming months is above everyone’s expectations. In stark contrast to some of El Ceará’s other export ventures, like shoes and textiles, the distribution of fruit has seen significant returns in the first half of this year.
The melon was one of the better performing products so far
Progress in the fruit business has increased by 23.4% in comparison to last year, according to the Ministerio de Desarrollo, Industria y Comercio Exterior (MDIC). This advancement has made the department of El Ceará in Brazil the second-biggest exporter in the sector, after São Paulo.
According to the President of Instituto Frutal, Euvaldo Bringel, the sector has several factors to thank for its progress, like the country’s great infrastructure, the use of new technology and the rise of the dollar. Bringel says investments are focused on irrigation projects, and a shift of existing reserves to the countryside of El Ceará also contributed to the success.
The export of the region’s number one fruit, the melon, marked a growth of 44.4% in the last semester. The biggest headway, however, was made by the coconut with 314.3%, followed by the watermelon with 161.5%. The melon’s performance in particular is seen as fortunate, says the President of Frutal, as this fruit is laborious and involves high wages.
Prospects remain optimistic: the sector is expected to bring in a 100 million US dollars by December.
Source: Diario do Nortedeste, Negócios