For 2017, according to surveys by Ce-
pea, the expectation is for a “bigger crop
and lemons of higher quality, due to fa-
vorable weather conditions throughout
2016, with abundant and well-distribut-
ed rainfall, resulting into fruit maturing
in a promising and healthyway in the or-
chards of São Paulo”. In general, accord-
ing to Afonso Castelucci, president of the
Brazilian Association of Lemon Produc-
ers and exporters (Abpel), the sector is
going through a transition period. After
some advances, he says, problems arise
in the productive process, which require
total and immediate attention, besides
for theneedofmaking strides inpatterns
and processes, if good perspectives for
the segment are to be ensured.
n
n
n
In transition
Minas Gerais, each of them accounting for
little more than 10% of the national pro-
duction. In 2016, from an evaluation of the
market, there was a drop in supply.
In the foreign market, where Brazilian
lemons gained momentum over the past
years because, in the words of Abpel pres-
ident, “they are available all year round
and have an attractive appearance”, the
sector shipped abroad the same volume
in 2016. Revenue went up by 14.4%, re-
covering a huge portion of the value
achieved in the previous year. The Euro-
pean Union is the biggest destination for
Brazilian lemons, where the leading buy-
ers are the Netherlands.
Sílvio Ávila
Situação do limão brasileiro
BONS FRUTOSÁCIDOS
Good acid fruit
Safra
2014
2015
Área (ha)
43.399
46.078
Produção (t)
1.101.799
1.180.271
Valor (R$mil)
803.220
847.030
SãoPaulo, maiorprodutor
Área (ha)
23.110
22.620
Produção (t)
764.514
759.495
Fonte:IBGE/PAM2015
Exportação
2015
2016
Volume (kg)
96.631.614
95.747.978
Receita (US$)
78.600.751
89.932.214
Fonte:Secex/MDIC.
