Friday September 13th, 2024

Brazil is the world’s third largest fruit producer, with 41 million tons of fruit produced in 2022, according to FAO. And this title of prominence in global fruit production is no wonder. The fruits of Brazil stand out mainly for their quality and variety. While most countries depend on seasonal production, Brazil’s fruits can be harvested all year round. However, for these fruits to reach international markets, it is essential to meet a series of quality control standards and international requirements.

The process of exporting Brazilian fruits to international markets requires strict product and production process, in compliance with the standards and certifications required by each country. Thus, when we talk about fruit quality, Brazil is also recognized for meeting all export requirements, including social and environmental sustainability issues.

 

What is quality control in fruit export?

Quality control involves a set of processes that ensure that exported Brazilian fruits meet the standards required by international markets. These processes start from cultivation, through harvesting, handling, storage, and transportation, until arrival at the final destination. According to the market requirement, fruits must have color, shape, and size.

One of the processes involved in this quality control is pest control. To export Brazilian mangoes to the United States, for example, the fruits need to undergo a hydrothermal treatment process at pre-established temperatures to ensure that they will be free of living forms of pests known as fruit flies, which are insects that can potentially cause significant damage to the crops of importing countries. Brazilian grapes, on the other hand, undergo a cooling process in cold chambers for 15 uninterrupted days to ensure that they will not be exported with parasites or diseases.

The international market is also very careful and demanding regarding residues of pesticides, fungi, or other substances that may compromise the consumer’s health. Therefore, there are control and inspection processes that ensure that these pesticides will not be present in fruits exported abroad above safety levels. When fruits do not meet this requirement standard, the cargo is rejected: “The international market requires a maximum level of residues. In the United States, for example, this control takes place through the government agency FDA (Federal Drug Administration)”, comments Erika Campelo, commercial director of FTrade.

The fruits most sensitive to “shelf life” – or maturation – are sent in controlled atmosphere containers to ensure that they will arrive fresh to consumers. This occurs, for example, with mangoes and avocados.

In addition to the control and treatment processes already exemplified, technical representatives of importing countries often visit Brazilian fruit producers to audit the process of cultivation, harvesting, and storage of the fruits produced, thus ensuring pre-defined compliance.

Strictly complying with international requirements is not only a legal obligation but also a competitive advantage. The fresh fruit consumer market is increasingly concerned with quality, food safety, and sustainability. Companies that demonstrate commitment to these areas gain the trust of consumers and business partners, in addition to accessing more profitable markets. In addition, the Brazilian consumer is also benefited, considering that the fruit marketed within the country has the same quality and meets the same requirements and standards as the international market. Orchards used to produce fruit for exportation are the same as those used in the domestic market.

 

About Frutas do Brasil

Abrafrutas (Brazilian Association of Fruit and Derivatives Producers and Exporters), in partnership with0 ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency), is committed to promoting the growth of Brazilian exporters. This project aims to expand its business, open new markets, highlight Brazilian fruits’ qualities and encourage the consumption of high-quality and tasty fruits. Currently, 63 export companies in the Brazilian fruit sector participate in Frutas do Brasil, achieving partial results exceeding USD 500 million in exports. To be part of the project, you only need to be a producer and register on the website by clicking here.

 

About Abrafrutas

The Brazilian Association of Fruit and Derivatives Exporters (Abrafrutas) is a non-profit association whose purpose is to represent and promote Brazilian fruit production in the international market. Created in 2014, Abrafrutas has approximately 70 associated fruit producers and exporters and holds approximately 85% of the total volume of fresh fruit exported by Brazil.