Apple harvest registers higher incidence of "honey drop" disease

The 2025/2026 Brazilian Fuji apple harvest has drawn the attention of the sector due to a characteristic considered rare in national orchards: the higher incidence of the so-called "honey drop." Associated with the high natural concentration of sugars in the fruit, this phenomenon results in apples with a more intense flavor, pronounced aroma, and juicier texture.

Visually, the "honey drop" manifests as translucent areas in the pulp, close to the core of the fruit. Despite the name, there is no honey present. The phenomenon occurs naturally, mainly in Fuji apples, when specific climatic conditions favor the accumulation of sugars during the final stage of ripening.

According to the executive director of the Brazilian Association of Apple Producers (ABPM), Moisés Lopes de Albuquerque, the conditions recorded in this harvest favored the development of this characteristic.

“We had a longer cycle, with a later harvest and lower temperatures during fruit ripening. This scenario favored the natural accumulation of sugars in the pulp, contributing to a more pronounced presence of honey droplets in this harvest,” he explains.

According to Albuquerque, the result is fruit with higher sensory quality, combining high sweetness and balance with the natural acidity characteristic of the Fuji apple.

This feature is associated with premium products. 

The presence of honeydew is especially valued in Asian markets, particularly in Japan—the country of origin of the Fuji variety. In these markets, apples with this characteristic are often associated with premium products and achieve higher commercial value due to their more intense flavor.

In addition to quality, the harvest is also expected to show a recovery in volume produced. According to estimates from ABPM, Brazilian apple production should be between 1,1 million and 1,2 million tons in the 2025/2026 cycle, above the approximately 850 tons harvested in the previous season. Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul continue to concentrate the majority of national production.

“We are facing a very positive harvest. The weather has favored both the productivity and the quality of the fruit, allowing consumers to find apples with distinct sensory characteristics this season,” concludes the executive director of ABPM.