Brazil’s fruit exports to Europe rise 14%

Fruit exports from Brazil to Europe experienced a rise in the first quarter of 2025 due to logistical shifts in international trade and increased global demand. The volume transported by Azul Cargo from Viracopos (Brazil) to Lisbon (Portugal) airports increased by 14%, from 1,130 tons in 2024 to 1,285 tons in 2025. Mango and papaya dominate the fruit cargo on this route.

The Brazilian Association of Fruit and Derivative Producers and Exporters (Abrafrutas) notes a similar trend nationally. “In the first quarter, compared to the same period last year, we had an increase in volume of around 20% to 25% in fresh fruit exports throughout Brazil,” said Alexandre Duarte, Abrafrutas representative. “Not only through Campinas or Guarulhos, but through all airports: Recife, Salvador, Fortaleza, Rio,” he added.

Duarte highlights a 5% rise in prices over the previous year. A contributing factor is the conflict in the Red Sea region, impacting shipping routes, increasing transport costs, and causing congestion in European ports. “Ships that used to make the journey in 20 days now make the journey in up to 45 days, when there are no delays,” he explained. “Certain products are not compatible with this transport time, and the alternative of air transport becomes viable.”

Despite these results, Brazilian fruit export growth faces challenges due to internal infrastructure issues. Duarte warns of the need for investment in ports, airports, and logistics. “Growth is growing, but due to inertia, not due to the country’s capacity. What we lack is the internal infrastructure of ports and airports, and general inspections, whether from the veterinary, agricultural, and federal sides, or customs. People need to be more aligned for the future, because the increase in demand is going against the country’s infrastructure,” he says.

Another issue is the concentration of aircraft in the Southeast, while production is mainly in the North and Northeast. “Production is in the North and Northeast of Brazil, but air logistics is concentrated in the Southeast,” highlights Duarte. He notes that 70% of export production is in the São Francisco Valley, yet cargo flights focus on cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro due to their proximity to industrial centers and higher import demand.

Progress is noted with the expansion of the international air network in the North and Northeast. “Today, we have flights departing from Fortaleza, Recife, Natal, and Salvador. This greatly helps our exports, because we can have the aircraft closer to production, which makes the transportation and quality of our exported products viable,” concluded Duarte.

Source: Abrafrutas

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