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Piracicaba 25th – Brazilian apple imports increased quite significantly this year, mainly due to the failure of the 2023/24 national harvest. It is worth remembering that the drop occurred due to heavy rains last year in the Brazilian South during flowering and fruiting, which led to a lower harvested volume and problems related to the size of the fruit – which became small – and its health, with the increase in pressure from fungal diseases such as scabies and glomerella.
In 2024 (January to September), 158 thousand tons of apples were imported, an increase of 71% compared to 2023 and the second-largest volume in the Comex Stat – the official system for extracting statistics on Brazilian foreign trade – historical series, second only to 2001. Expenditures were US$ 179 million, an increase of 89% in the same comparison, the largest expenditure in the Comex historical series (which started in 1997).
The scenario is the opposite of previous years when imports typically increased in the second half of the year. This year, since May, there has been a significant increase in foreign purchases. The largest suppliers of apples to Brazil during this period were Chile, Italy, and Argentina, which together supplied 92% of the total. This year, Italy increased its share of Brazilian imports and surpassed Argentina, which used to be in second place. The neighboring country’s loss of its position may be related to its lower production this year.
According to WAPA – the World Apple and Pear Association – perspectives, the volume of apples harvested at the beginning of this year may have dropped by almost 5% in Argentina.
Source: hfbrasil.org.br
