Brazil's fig exports showed a 6% year-on-year rise to 100,000 metric tons (MT) for the first quarter of this year due to dry weather, website Agricultura.ruralbr.com.br reported.

The country also recorded a 4% year-on-year rise in fig sales for the first quarter, according to Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade (MDIC) figures.

Favorable weather conditions with hardly any rain during the harvest meant this season's crop was particularly healthy.

São Paulo fig farmer Hélio Oliveira said he would be expanding his business, which currently includes exports to five customers in Europe, to also include Canada.

Oliveira exports 80% of his crop on his farm in the Campinas region. Atlhough his farm is just five kilometeres from Campinas Airport, his fruit is air freighted at Guarulhos International Airport, which has more frequent flights.

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