Santa Catarina harvests 70 thousand tons of passion fruit in 2023, 27% more than in the previous harvest

According to a survey by Epagri extensionists, Santa Catarina ended the passion fruit harvest with production estimated at 70 thousand tons, representing a growth of around 27% compared to the 2021/2022 harvest. Another positive point was the average value paid to the producer for the 11 kg box, which this year was R$35,00, compared to R$22,00 last year. The main market for fruit from Santa Catarina is Companhia de Entrepostos e Armazéns Gerais de São Paulo (Ceagesp), but it also goes to supermarket chains and distribution centers in Porto Alegre, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília and Belo Horizonte.

According to agricultural engineer Diego Adílio da Silva, rural extensionist at Epagri in Cocal do Sul, the planted area remained - just over two thousand hectares -, but the average productivity increased to 35 tons per hectare, despite some adverse weather conditions. occurred during the cultivation of the orchards, with emphasis on the cold that lasted until the months of October and November. According to Epagri/Cepa, in the 21/22 harvest, productivity was 27 tons per hectare and production was 55 thousand tons.

Diego also says that the late cold resulted in a delay in the start of the harvest. “To give you an idea, in a technological reference unit accompanied by Epagri conducted in the municipality of Balneário Gaivota, in June 2022, 300 boxes of 11 kg were harvested, as the harvest was already in the final phase. In the same month, in 2023, 660 boxes were harvested, more than double last year.”

Same area, greater productivity

For Diego, productivity has been growing every year due to a number of factors. Among them, the agronomist cites the planting of the Epagri cultivar launched in 2015, SCS437 Catarina, highly adapted to the climate conditions of Santa Catarina. Other factors were the adoption of the sanitary void since 2020, the improvement in the quality of the seedlings produced, the management of fertilization, cultural treatments and the control of pests and diseases. “In addition to improving productivity, there was an improvement in the quality of the fruit produced”, he highlights.

In one of the technological reference units monitored by Epagri, in the municipality of Sombrio, productivity was 60,9 t/ha, 90% of which was destined for table use and 10% for industry. “This highlights the quality of the fruit from Santa Catarina, which is now known as the best passion fruit produced in Brazil”, reveals the rural extension worker.

Toilet void

The passion fruit sanitary void was established in Santa Catarina in 2020 by an ordinance from the State Department of Agriculture as a sanitary measure to protect sour passion fruit orchards from the fruit hardening virus. During the period determined for each municipality, it is prohibited to cultivate or establish an orchard, maintain or allow, in the field, the presence of live plants at any stage of development.

The measure applies to both commercial orchards and home or urban crops. The cultivation of seedlings can be maintained during this period, as long as it meets the criteria established by Cidasc. In 2023, the sanitary void is in effect from July 1st to August 29th, with specific periods for each producing region. Check out:

– July 1st to July 30th: Araranguá, Balneário Arroio do Silva, Balneário Gaivota, Balneário Rincão, Criciúma, Ermo, Forquilhinha, Içara, Jacinto Machado, Maracajá, Meleiro, Morro Grande, Passo de Torres, Praia Grande, Santa Rosa do Sul, São João do Sul, Sombrio, Timbé do Sul and Turvo.

– July 11th to August 9th: Biguaçu, Bombinhas, Canelinha, Capivari de Baixo, Cocal do Sul, Florianópolis, Garopaba, Governador Celso Ramos, Imaruí, Imbituba, Jaguaruna, Laguna, Morro da Fumaça, Nova Veneza, Palhoça, Paulo Lopes, Porto Belo, Sangão, São José, Siderópolis and Tijucas.

– July 21th to August 19th: Águas Mornas, Angelina, Anitápolis, Antônio Carlos, Warehouse, Balneário Camboriú, Bom Jardim da Serra, Botuverá, Braço do Norte, Brusque, Camboriú, Grão-Pará, Gravatal, Guabiruba, Itajaí, Itapema, Lauro Müller, Major Gercino, Nova Trento , Orleans, Pedras Grandes, Pescaria Brava, Rancho Queimado, Rio Fortuna, Santa Rosa de Lima, Santo Amaro da Imperatriz, São Bonifácio, São João Batista, São Ludgero, São Martinho, São Pedro de Alcântara, Treviso, Treze de Maio, Tubarão and Urussanga.

– July 31th to August 29th: Other municipalities in the State.