Brazil is a superpower in the field of agriculture. The country is the world's 4th largest exporter. In 2012 the export of all agrarian products from Brazil had a value of 70 billion dollars. After the USA, Holland is the 2nd exporter with an agrarian export work 86 billion dollars (Comtrade 2011). As an exporter of fresh fruit and vegetables, Brazil is less important. Fresh vegetables is a small product, and as an exporter of fresh fruit, Brazil is in 25th place. Brazil is an important player on the global market when it comes to processed fruit though (especially juices). Holland is important for the Brazilian export of fresh fruit. Around 40% of the Brazilian export of fresh fruit is aimed at Holland.
The Brazilian export of fresh fruits and vegetables (but almost exclusively fruit) had a value of 620 million dollars in 2012. The amount reached almost 700,000 tonnes. An amount of 270,000 tonnes went to Holland, with a value of 255 million dollars. The Brazilian fresh fruit export grew steadily until 2008. At that point over 900,000 tonnes of fresh produce was crossing the border. After that the export slowly decreased. The most important export product as far as value is concerned is mangos, followed by melons. Melons (excl. watermelons) come top in amount, followed by mangos, then bananas, lemons, apples, grapes, watermelons, papayas, oranges and avocados.
For almost all products 2008 was the peak year. For bananas the peak was a year later, whereas the export of lemons has continued to grow. For most buyers of Brazilian fresh fruit, 2008 was the best year in most cases. The export to Holland was almost 320,000 tonnes at the time. The UK, the second largest buyer, was worth 150,000 tonnes on 2008, compared to 122,000 tonnes last year. For Spain, the third largest buyer, 2010 was the peak year with over 90,000 tonnes, whereas it was 83,000 tonnes last year. The fourth buyer is the USA but since 2008 the export there has decreased greatly to 32,000 tonnes in 2012.
According to the Brazilian export statistics, Germany was worth 33,000 tonnes in 2012. According to the German trade statistics say the import from Brazil was 86,000 tonnes. This is mainly (over 50,000 tonnes) Brazilian products which have been traded through Holland. What also stands out is that the export to the neighbouring countries Argentina and Uruguay reaches a peak in 2002, after which it decreases greatly. A lot of new sales markets have arrived to take their places, such as Bangladesh (mainly apples), Poland (only bananas) and the United Arab Emirates (mainly lemons) but they are not huge amounts and it is a small product package.
According to the Brazilian export statistics, Germany was worth 33,000 tonnes in 2012. According to the German trade statistics say the import from Brazil was 86,000 tonnes. This is mainly (over 50,000 tonnes) Brazilian products which have been traded through Holland. What also stands out is that the export to the neighbouring countries Argentina and Uruguay reaches a peak in 2002, after which it decreases greatly. A lot of new sales markets have arrived to take their places, such as Bangladesh (mainly apples), Poland (only bananas) and the United Arab Emirates (mainly lemons) but they are not huge amounts and it is a small product package.
Countries which have declined in sales of Brazilian product are: Portugal, Italy, Sweden and Belgium. Holland is the biggest buyer of all main products with the exceptions of bananas and papayas. For Brazilian mangos, grapes, lemons, watermelons and avocados Holland is worth half or more of the export.
