The recent tariffs imposed by the United States have raised concerns within Brazil's fruit sector. As the world's third-largest producer of fruit, Brazil currently ranks only 31st among exporters.
Industry representatives warned that tons of mangos could remain unharvested and that other crops, including grapes, melons, and limes, may be discarded due to the perishable nature of the products. The US accounts for about 7 per cent of Brazil's total food exports, which has prompted discussions about the country's broader export performance.
"We are lacking in new markets and in the qualification of small and medium producers," said Guilherme Coelho, president of the Brazilian Association of Fruit Producers and Exporters (Abrafrutas).
In recent years, Brazil has increased fruit exports, moving from lower averages to reaching consecutive records. In 2024, exports of fresh and processed fruit reached 1 million tons, generating US$1.3 billion, with Europe as the primary destination. The sector achieved an annual average growth of 7 per cent over the last four years. However, challenges remain.
"To increase our global presence throughout the year, it is essential to cut logistical and production costs, and improve our response to quality demands," said Margarete Boteon, a researcher at the Centre of Advanced Studies in Applied Economics (Cepea) at the University of São Paulo. Larger exporters are generally able to meet international protocols, but small and medium-scale producers often face difficulties and prefer to sell domestically.
Brazilian exporters benefit from supplying markets during the off-season of major global producers, but this strategy is limited. Fruit can achieve higher prices when foreign production is low, yet market access outside these windows remains constrained.
"Entrepreneurship focused on external markets is necessary, such as what occurs in Chile, Peru, and Mexico," said Marcos Jank, coordinator of Insper Agro Global. He noted that Brazil trails smaller regional competitors in export share. Despite producing over 42 million tons of fruit annually, less than 3 per cent is exported.
Chile has been cited as a model, having promoted an export-oriented system since the 1930s, supported by advanced logistics such as air transport for fruits with short shelf lives. In contrast, Brazilian fruit exports often rely on shipping by boat, which can take more than 30 days. Air transport could enable faster access to markets in Asia.
Cooperatives uniting small and medium growers have also been suggested as a way to increase export capacity, similar to other segments of agribusiness. The current tariffs are viewed as a push for Brazil to pursue new strategies and improve its position in international markets.
Source: exame