Brazil is the third producer in the world in fruit production, behind China and India, but with a population of around 213 million inhabitants, around 98% of Brazilian fruit production is destined for domestic use, and only 2% of the volume of fruit produced, is exported to the rest of the world, with Europe being one of the most important destinations. Jorge de Souza, Project Manager of Frutas do Brasil, an association formed by exporters and strategic partners carried out between Abrafrutas and the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency - ApexBrasil, say: "Due to the climatic characteristics of Brazil, there is a large consumption of fruits. So, Brazilian producers often think 'why am I going to complicate myself in exporting, with the requirements and certifications that are needed, if I can sell very well in the domestic market?', but in the international market There is a very strong demand for tropical fruits. In some countries, there are what we call 'commercial windows', periods where, due to climate issues, for example, it is more difficult to produce and even if they have greenhouses and other technologies, considering all the factors, "There is a need to import a little. Therefore, we, from Frutas do Brasil, are trying to develop the international market, showing producers that the exchange of products with other countries is very important."

In this sense, De Souza explains that, for example, Spain sends to Brazil fruits that are not produced in the Amazon country, such as plums, since they need a colder climate to grow, just as Brazilian consumers buy a lot of Spanish oranges because "Although Brazil is a large producer of oranges, this is for industry, while for the table, the quality of Spanish citrus is very good."

In this way, Frutas do Brasil, an entity created in 2014, aims to develop a "slightly more aggressive" export culture, in the words of the association's Product Manager, "because many times, Brazilian producers are very good at producing, but they aren't so good for business, so we need to work on that.” And about this, Jorge do Souza begins that the relationship with Spain is very strong and that with our country they have a very intense exchange of products, which, together with the increase in the international importance of fairs such as Fruit Attraction, "which is already at the same level as Fruit Logistica in Germany", they could not fail to be present at the Madrid fruit and vegetable fair: "Until almost closing time, they continue talking about business and doing business. It is a very good situation for everyone." Thus, with its own stand, these days at Fruit Attraction, Frutas do Brasil, continues in its commitment to continue looking for clients to increase exports of Brazilian fruits in Europe.

However, De Souza indicates that, today, Brazil exports 250,000 tons of mango per year, this being its star product, although it also exports melon, limes, grapes, avocado, papayas and açaí: "As for melon, Spain It only imports in winter, but we also export to Germany, Holland and other European countries. On the other hand, acid limes are very important, with a very large export volume: around 130-140 million tons per year. The case of grapes is very interesting because Europe produces grapes of excellent quality, but there is a small commercial window, between November and part of January, which is when we ship between 40,000 and 45,000 tons per year of high value, with very high prices. We also export a little avocado and papaya, although this is not so popular, but we also ship this fruit to Spain and Europe. In addition, we have açai, which is a fruit from the Amazon: it is a palm tree whose production is harvested without cutting it, and it is prepared as a kind of açai ice cream, very rich in antioxidants and vitamins that young people really like, mixed with other fruits such as banana or other red fruits, because it provides a lot of energy and is very popular. A great variety of fruits with demand in Europe that can be produced throughout the year, because as De Souza highlights, "Brazil has a very important advantage, and that is that we are one of the few countries where it is possible to produce all year round. There are times that has more and moments that it has less, but it always has, because the weather conditions allow it, as is the case of the banana, the lime or the mango, which are worked under water stress and flowering is induced to produce all the year, while with fruits like avocado, it is in the first semester of the year when we have a greater volume and in others, the second semester is the most important. This is due, comments the Product Manager of Frutas de Brasil, to the fact that the Brazilian northeast, specifically the States of Bahia, Ceará, Río Grande do Norte and Pernambuco, and the entire bay of the San Francisco River, "which is immense, for us it is the best scenario, since in summer we have little rain and in winter it does not rain at all, but since we have many large rivers, we use drip irrigation. Furthermore, since the environment is very dry, you don't have to apply many pesticides, since the humidity is very low and insects do not multiply very well due to the very drastic environmental conditions.

Infoagro Editorial: R. G. / N. M. / Lydia Medero