Brazil exported around 6,000 tons of bananas in August, a 35 per cent decline compared with July shipments of 9,000 tons, according to Comex Stat. Argentina and Uruguay remained the main destinations, accounting for 94 per cent of total exports, but their purchases fell by 28 per cent and 13 per cent, respectively, monthly.
The decline in exports is attributed to the lower availability of the nanica banana, Brazil's leading export variety. Supplies have fallen not only in northern Santa Catarina, the country's largest supplier to Mercosur, but also in other producing regions across the South and Southeast.
As a result, domestic prices for nanica bananas have firmed. Export volumes may continue to decrease in the coming months, as limited availability of the variety is expected to persist until early next year.
Source: HF Brasil