Melons, lemons and mangoes lead Brazil’s impressive export performance, but industry faces potential challenges from proposed US tariffs and seeks to diversify into new markets
Brazil has closed the first half of 2025 with a 27.2 per cent increase in its fruit export volume and a 12.6 per cent increase in sales compared with the same period of 2024.
According to data released by national industry association Abrafrutas, the country exported more than 546,000 tonnes of fresh and processed fruit in the six-month period, generating revenue of US$583mn.
Among the most exported fruits were melons, which recorded just below 20 per cent annual volume growth to more than 118,000 tonnes. Next came lemons with around 107,000 tonnes, and mangoes with almost 88,000 tonnes.
Watermelons also saw a dramatic increase in export volume, up nearly 76 per cent to 74,000 tonnes, while banana shipments practically doubled to 43,000 thousand tonnes, securing an 80.7 per cent increase in sales to US$15.7mn.
Papaya exports reached 27,000 tonnes; avocados topped 19,500 tonnes –down 11.2 per cent in volume, generating US$38.3mn; and the country’s apple exports were 42.2 per cent up at 13,100 tonnes, with a 60 per cent rise in revenue.
Grape exports, meanwhile, were 106 per cent higher at 10,300 tonnes, with sales 77.5 per cent higher at US$26.5mn.
“Our performance in the first half of the year is the result of the tireless work of our producers and exporters, who face logistical, climatic, and political challenges and still manage to maintain Brazil as a global leader in tropical fruits,” commented Abrafrutas president Guilherme Coelho. “Thanks to them, we all reap the benefits of the country’s development.”
Tariff threat
Despite the positive results, Brazil’s fruit export business faces several challenges, Abrafrutas said, not least the threat of new trade barriers including a US proposal to slap a 50 per cent tariff on all imports from the country at the start of August.
Given this scenario, it said, the strategy for Brazil’s fruit exporters will be to further diversify markets and strengthen trade relations with other countries.
Since 2023, it has gained access to seven new markets for fruits including avocados, papayas, citrus, and grapes. Among those markets are Chile, India, Japan, Costa Rica, and China.
According to Coelho, the entity’s mission is to defend the sector’s interests, provide technical support to producers, and promote Brazilian fruits abroad.
“Despite the growing challenges, we remain steadfast, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and commercial openness. Our fruit farming is a source of national pride,” he concludes.
