The Brazilian Fruit Institute (IBRAF) has announced the country’s fresh fruit exports fell 2.69% to 759,420 metric tons (MT) in 2010, website Maxpress.com.br reported.

But while volumes were down, the higher value of the Brazilian real led to an 8.96% in collections to US$609.61 million compared to 2009, the story reported.

IBRAF executive director Mauricio Ferrer told Maxpress the fall in volumes was also due to the slow recovery of importing countries from the global financial crisis.

The report said melons were the most exported fruit with total volumes of 177,820MT, while grape exports contributed US$136.64 million.

One third of Brazil’s fruit exports were destined for the Netherlands, while the U.K. and Spain were also major export markets. Other importers included Argentina, the U.S., Uruguay, Germany, Portugal, Italy and France, the website reported.

Photo: Photo: Flickr, Muffet

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com