II Forum on Quality and Certifications in Fruit Growing in Petrolina: Innovation, Sustainability and Agricultural Excellence

On May 17th, Petrolina was the stage for an important event for the Brazilian agricultural sector: the II Fruit Culture Quality and Certification Forum, promoted by QIMA and its subsidiaries in the food sector QIMA/WQS and QIMA IBD. The forum brought together renowned professionals and organizations in the sector to discuss innovations, quality standards and certifications in fruit growing, with the aim of strengthening and elevating the excellence of fruit production in Brazil.

During the event, relevant topics for fruit growing in 2024 were discussed, including perspectives, opportunities and challenges in exports, sustainability, growth of the organic market and future expectations. Professionals from large companies and organizations, such as Abrafrutas, FIEPE, Sweet Valley, PariPassu, Senai, Instituto Brasil Orgânico and Sebrae-PE, and QIMA Produce shared their experiences and success stories.

The potential and challenges of fruit growing

Located in the semi-arid northeast, the Vale do São Francisco region benefits from ideal climatic conditions for the production of tropical and temperate fruits throughout the year. According to Embrapa, the irrigated area in the Valley is responsible for around 95% of Brazil's grape and mango production. In 2023, Brazil exported more than 1 million tons of fruit, generating revenues of more than 1 billion reais. The volume of grapes exported increased by 40%, while mango maintained its leading position in fruit exports, with an increase of 15%, totaling 266 thousand tons.

Despite all this potential, export volume has not yet reached significant levels. Although there was an increase of 6.7% compared to the previous year, exports are 11.9% below 2021 figures. “Practically 97% of the total produced is on the national market”, explains Heloísa Nóbrega, Agribusiness Manager at Sebrae-PE. “The country is the third largest producer in the world, but only ranks 24th in exports.” Climatic phenomena, poor logistics infrastructure and regulatory and sanitary issues in meeting international standards are some of the main obstacles that hinder the expansion of Brazilian exports.

If export numbers are not yet excellent and difficulties are still a reality for the sector, future projections bring good prospects. “Recently, markets for avocado, tangerines and limes were opened in India, which has 1.4 billion inhabitants. Soon, we will open the grape market in China, also with a population of 1.4 billion”, says Guilherme Coelho, president of Abrafrutas. These new markets can significantly boost Brazilian fruit exports, taking advantage of the country's enormous production capacity.

ESG in fruit growing: path to sustainability and global competitiveness

Companies and associations are striving to maximize this productive efficiency. Guilherme Coelho highlights the implementation of ESG guidelines in local fruit farming as a growth engine for producers in the region. “Our goal is to integrate the 92 companies associated with ESG practices, aiming for the sustainability and competitiveness of the sector”, he declares.

Abrafrutas' goal includes a diagnosis divided into three phases. Firstly, the association seeks to understand the context of member organizations and assess the degree of maturity in relation to good ESG practices. In the second stage, it establishes the interfaces, needs and expectations of associated companies, prepares a materiality matrix and implements the defined ESG requirements and practices, in addition to training employees on the topics covered. Finally, in the third phase, Abrafrutas helps member companies to demonstrate compliance with ESG best practices, using a specific protocol and providing a seal of compliance.

Adopting these practices not only improves sustainability and social responsibility for producers, but also pave the way for certifications. These certifications, in turn, open new markets and strengthen consumer confidence, driving growth and competitiveness in the global market.

Brazil on the sustainability leadership path

Sustainability per se, in fact, was one of the topics that had a great focus during the forum in Petrolina. Ana Ishida, Global Sales Director at QIMA/WQS, highlighted the five key sustainability principles for food and agriculture, emphasizing that Brazil can become a leader in fruit growing and the largest fruit export hub by adopting sustainable practices.

“Sustainability is not a passing fad, but a growing reality that will be increasingly regulated, becoming crucial for the survival of producers”, stated Ishida, presenting data published by Russell Reynolds that shows that 96% of business leaders believe that Sustainability issues will impact the long-term viability of your business. “The transition to sustainable production is complex and requires time, commitment and investment. Sustainable practices and regulations are constantly evolving, so it is important to be aware of changes”, he adds.

All points converge towards certification

Social responsibility audits, quality inspection, potential in the organic market and sustainable protocols were other topics also discussed during the lectures at the II Forum on Quality and Certifications in Fruit Growing. Despite the variety of topics covered, they all converged on a central point: the importance of certifications in fruit growing

Guilherme Coelho highlighted the relevance of being a certified company, stating: "Today there are different types of certification, and we need them all to meet the demands of the global market. I congratulate QIMA for making this range of solutions available and I take this opportunity to draw the attention of producers , especially the little ones, to the importance of being certified."

Obtaining certifications not only ensures the quality and sustainability of products, but also expands market opportunities, meeting international requirements and strengthening the competitiveness of Brazilian producers.

A promising future for fruit growing

Events such as the Fruit Production Quality and Certification Forum are essential for the dissemination of knowledge, the application of innovative practices and the definition of future expectations in the agricultural sector. They act as a catalyst for exchanging ideas and improving the techniques used by producers. “Brazil has all the potential to become one of the largest global fruit exporters. We at QIMA are doing our part by offering quality-focused solutions, promoting product excellence. If producers apply all available resources, our country will very soon be at the top”, says Alexandre Harkaly.

With the promise of good results, QIMA is already preparing for the 2025 edition of the event. Anticipation and continuous planning demonstrate the certifier's commitment to fostering an environment of constant improvement and innovation in fruit growing. Looking to the future, the expectation is that these efforts will translate into a more robust and competitive market, placing Brazil in a prominent position in the global export scenario.