Santa Catarina begins the national apple harvest

The national apple harvest in 2024 is officially open and São Joaquim, in Serra Catarinense, was the stage for an event that marked the beginning of the fruit harvest in the country. The largest apple producer in Brazil, Santa Catarina expects to harvest around 500 apples this year. thousand tons, according to Epagri/Cepa. This Saturday, the 24th, the acting governor, Marilisa Boehm, accompanied the symbolic harvest of the fruit in Epagri's experimental orchards and highlighted that the State is a partner of family farming that produces with excellence, not only for Brazil, but for the world .

“The producers of Serra Catarinense are an example of this with the highest quality apples produced under unique geographical and climate conditions. The State will continue to support our family farmers who are a fundamental part of the State's economy and GDP. In addition to apples, we have great wineries here, and the cold weather attracts tourists every winter. Characteristics that, under the eyes of Governor Jorginho Mello, are now valued and highlighted in the Winter Season, expanding opportunities for the State at different times of the year”, he highlighted.

The event, which took place at the Epagri Experimental Station and the Maçã National Park, was attended by producers from the region, parliamentarians and guests.

Production and source of income

In Brazil, approximately 1,3 million tons of apples are produced per year, basically in five states. According to IBGE, Santa Catarina leads this ranking followed by Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná, São Paulo and Minas Gerais.

In São Joaquim and the region, there are around 2,6 family farmers who produce apples on 14 hectares of planted area. In the interior of the municipality, producer Valdir Marafigo switched from potato production to an apple orchard.

“My relatives started switching to apples and then we saw that the fruit has a better future. We have been planting crops on two hectares here on my property for eight years. Things have improved a lot for us because the service is smoother. All our income comes from here and now we are no longer going to stop producing apples,” she said.

Fuji apple from the São Joaquim region

In 2021, the Fuji Apple from the São Joaquim Region, in Santa Catarina, won the Geographical Indication (GI) seal in the Denomination of Origin (DO) modality, granted by the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI). The quality of the fruit produced in the region is recognized due to the exclusive characteristics essentially linked to the geographic environment, including natural and human factors, and the production process developed over more than five decades. The Fuji apple produced in the cold region of Brazil stands out for its flavor, beauty and quality.

The achievement of Geographical Indication highlights that the Fuji apple produced in the São Joaquim region is different from others produced in the country, enhancing its history and characteristics. Through the seal, the fruit has greater potential to add economic value and conquer new markets. GI registration is given to products that have a unique quality and characteristics of their place of origin.

Opening at Epagri

During the opening event of the national apple harvest in São Joaquim, the paving of access to Epagri units in the municipality also took place. 2.367 m² of asphalt were built at the site, with State investments in the order of R$344,9.

Today we are in Serra to inaugurate a project that is an old claim and that shows the presence and concern of the Government of Santa Catarina with rural research and producers in the region. Furthermore, we are officially opening the national apple harvest here in São Joaquim, which is a reference in apple production. We are very proud and happy with this moment”, highlighted the president of Epagri, Dirceu Leite.

The Secretary of State for Agriculture and Livestock, Valdir Colatto, highlights that the State promotes different government actions to help rural families. “It was our governor’s determination to increasingly support our farmers. We are starting the apple harvest and celebrating this great achievement that places our State as a pioneer in fruit production”, he reinforced.