Hot and dry conditions in the first months of the year have hurt Brazilian fruit producers, who have reported damage to stems and loss of production, reported Agricultura.ruralbr.com.br. Extensive complications have been reported for fruit quality, harvest schedules and volume, creating market disruptions.

Apples

Although initial estimates forecast quality apple volume, the fruit is expected to suffer extensive sun damage due to intense heat in the southern regions of the country.

The agricultural research body of Santa Catarina, Epagri, indicated fruit had experienced sunburn, including dark brown spots on the peel and darkened pulp.

Apples in the regions of Vacaria and São Joaquim also suffered from hail damage in the first part of February.

In general, producers are worried about apple quality and volume, especially for high quality fruit. Many more apples are expected to be sent for processing.

Bananas

For bananas, March is expected to be a low volume month, especially out of northern Santa Catarina, reported the Brazilian publication. High heat caused many clusters to mature early, prompting a greater harvest of volume in February. Greater volume of dwarf banana varieties is expected later in the month, while more prata bananas are expected in May.

For the moment, bananas prices are expected to remain high as a result of volume problems.

Rains forecast throughout the month could mean a return to better quality. Lack of rain and high heat brought extensive complications to the main banana producing regions of the country in February.

In Santa Catarina, further complications were reported due to lack of refrigerated trucks, causing losses en route to consumer markets.

Papayas

Intense February heat also hit the top papaya producing regions, reported Agricultura.ruralbr.com.br. Much like with bananas, the heat caused rapid fruit ripening, resulting in an initial spike in volume and a drop in availability this March.

There is also a risk of fruit deformities due to the heat.

The worst losses were experienced in Espírito Santo where  producers first suffered from flooding in December, followed by the recent heat wave.

Loss of flowering was reported in southern Bahia and northern Minas Gerais as a result of the heat. This could cause an additional drop in fruit volume from May to July.

Melons

The main melon harvest for Rio Grande do Norte and Ceará will end this month. Although the harvest began well in August, the ending has not been favorable, the Brazilian publication wrote. A lack of irrigation water complicated production.

Oranges

For oranges, the greatest damage has been done to late-season fruit, which has shown wilting. Due to supply disruptions, prices per box rose by 14% from February to mid-March. High prices are expected to remain throughout the month due to diminished volume.

Greater volumes of Hamlin and Westin oranges are expected in April, however. This should come with prices corrections.

Grapes

Prices for grapes are expected to remain high, due to a slow harvest in São Francisco valley and the end to several key varieties in Paraná and São Paulo.

Grapes in São Paulo experienced further reductions due to a harsh winter, followed by dry conditions during blossom.

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