Melon exports have a significant monthly increase

Melon exports from the 2021/22 harvest from Rio Grande do Norte/Ceará rose significantly in September. According to data from Secex, the volume sent to the international market totaled 28 thousand tons, a strong increase of 951% compared to that shipped in August, the first month of the campaign.

Revenue (in dollars) registered an even greater increase, of 1.127%, totaling just over US$ 19,5 million (FOB). According to agents consulted by Hortifruti/Cepea, these increases in volume and revenue are common for the period, due to the end of the Spanish harvest, the main export market for the fruit to Europe, which, in turn, is the largest destination for Brazilian melon . The exchange rate also favored revenue, as the strong dollar increases returns in Reais.

However, high prices for sea freight and cardboard packaging limited exporters' earnings. Despite this increase compared to August, September exports, in terms of volume, were 16% below those of September 2020, according to Secex, which could be a result of difficulties in negotiations with importers this year, given the high costs production, packaging and sea freight.