Brazil to step up fruit exports to Middle East

Brazil’s fruit sector has its eyes firmly set on Asian and Middle Eastern markets. In the first 10 months of 2020, Brazil’s fruit exports were up 2.8% to 725,000 tons, compared to the same period of 2019. Shipments to the Middle East accounted for about 15,000 tons in 2019, with the UAE being the largest market. The main products shipped to these markets are melons, table grapes, mangoes and limes. This growing interest has led to a growing number of Brazilian operators to become halal certified. Omar Chahine, commercial manager of Brazilian certifier Cdial Halal, said the certification has been increasingly required in Arab countries and beyond. China and South Korea are also becoming major markets for Brazilian fruit exports.