South America is set to lead global fruit exports.

South America will be the engine of growth for world exports of tropical fruits in the coming years, overtaking Central America and the Caribbean as the largest global exporter. This was highlighted by Markestrat Agribusiness partner, Vinícius Cambaúva, this Thursday (26), closing day of Fruit Attraction São Paulo (2026), in the capital of São Paulo. “This FAO/UN projection considers shipments of pineapple, avocado, guava, papaya and mango,” he said.

According to Cambaúva, FAO estimates indicate that global fruit exports should jump from a projected financial turnover of US$12,8 billion this year to US$15,7 billion in 2034. He highlighted that shipments from Central America and the Caribbean are expected to register an annual growth rate of 4,8%, while South America's growth will reach a higher percentage of 5,3% by the end of the next eight years, giving it global leadership in 2034.

Today, Brazil is the world's third-largest producer, but ranks only between the twentieth and twenty-fourth largest exporter. In 2025, Brazilian fruit export revenue reached US$1,45 billion, an increase of 12%. The most exported items were mangoes, melons, lemons and limes, and watermelons.

Business expectations

Considered the largest event dedicated to the fruit and vegetable segment in the Southern Hemisphere, the 3rd edition of Fruit Attraction São Paulo brought together from Tuesday (24) to this Thursday (26) in the same pavilion producers, exporters, national and international buyers, suppliers, distributors, authorities, entities, and other agents of the productive sector, reaffirming its role as a global platform for the fruit sector in Brazil.

In the 2025 edition, the event, organized by Ifema Madrid and Fiera Milano Brasil, received more than 16,3 visitors, 400 exhibiting brands from over 60 countries, generated more than 15 business meetings, generated more than R$ 1 billion in sales, and occupied 1,5 m² of exhibition space, a 66% increase compared to 2024. For this edition, the CEO of Fiera Milano Brasil, Maurício Macedo, predicts significant growth in business volume. "We believe that sales made at the fair should total between R$ 1,2 billion and R$ 1,5 billion," he concluded.