The export of melons from Goiás, Brazil, to Argentina has begun with the first shipment of 20 tons from a 10-hectare area in Porangatu, northern Goiás. This marks the debut of Goiás melons on the international market and expands the state's cucurbit presence abroad.
The operation was made possible through cooperation between the Goiás Agricultural Defense Agency (Agrodefesa), Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA), farmers, and technical supervisors to ensure compliance with international phytosanitary standards.
So far in 2025, Agrodefesa has monitored 40 cucurbit farms in Goiás with export potential. These included 37 watermelon farms, two pumpkin farms, and one melon farm, covering 492 hectares across Carmo do Rio Verde, Itapuranga, Jaraguá, Porangatu, and Uruana. Estimated production totals 33,500 tons, with 30,410 tons of watermelon, 2,590 tons of pumpkin, and 500 tons of melon.
Agrodefesa president José Ricardo Caixeta Ramos stated: "The Government of Goiás, through Agrodefesa, ensures our products reach international markets with quality, traceability, and safety. This collective effort expands the presence of Goiás fruits abroad and strengthens the state's economy."
Exports are subject to strict controls for fruit flies (Anastrepha grandis), carried out by licensed technical supervisors and overseen by Agrodefesa. Inspectors register farms, monitor production cycles, oversee shipments, issue plant transit permits, and seal cargo. At the border, a federal auditor from MAPA issues the Phytosanitary Export Certificate to authorize entry into the importing country.
Leonardo Macedo, Plant Health Manager at Agrodefesa, explained: "Each harvest strengthens international confidence in Goiás' agricultural defense. This is the key factor that gives competitiveness to fruits produced in the state."
Mário Sérgio de Oliveira, coordinator of Agrodefesa's Risk Mitigation System (SMR) for cucurbits, said: "Monitoring begins in the field with sample collection and weekly inspections. Only after confirming no fruit fly occurrence does a farm receive authorization to export. This guarantees traceability and phytosanitary security until the final destination."
Enio Gomes Gontijo Júnior, technical supervisor of the Porangatu melon farm, added: "It's not just about producing a healthy fruit, but about strengthening the entire production system to meet international requirements. We had to choose the right area, ensure the climate was suitable, plant at the right time, and harvest exactly when the buyer demanded. The technical supervisor is the link between producer, Agrodefesa, and the market, which gives us the confidence to move forward."
With melons now added to Goiás' export portfolio, the state is expanding its international cucurbit presence, which already includes watermelon and pumpkin. Producers expect melon exports to follow the same path, supported by Agrodefesa's phytosanitary guarantees.
Gontijo Júnior said: "We already have several new areas interested in becoming certified under SMR to expand sales abroad, especially for watermelon, followed by pumpkin, and now melon. With Argentina's improved economic outlook, opportunities to export quality fruit have grown, encouraging more producers to prepare for this market."
Source: DatamarNews