Brazilian fruit supplier commits significant investment to restore melon production base in Ceará state, with plans to expand to 3,000ha over next two years
Brazilian supplier Itaueira has reportedly invested R$80mn (€12.5mn) in new melon production for export markets, and plans to spend a further R$40mn (€6.27mn) to expand the project to 3,000ha over the next two years.
As reported on the Revista Da Fruta website, the production centre near Morada Nova, in the state of Ceará in the north-east of Brazil, will enable the group to restore a supply base it was forced to give up almost a decade ago.
According to the report, Itaueira had grown melons and watermelons on the banks of the Canal do Trabalhador, but a severe water shortage in 2016 forced it to relocate.
In January, Itaueira announced it had resumed exports of its premium Rei-branded melons after a seven-year hiatus.
This year, it has also entered into a strategic partnership with São Paulo-based MBR Company to resume exports of its Rei-branded melons to markets in the Middle East.
