Potential losses in the strawberry crop may drive further imports

Frozen strawberry demand is expected to rise in Brazil this year based on the growing confectionery and bakery industries. Last year, the market operated half its capacity, opposing its ever-higher import figures, above 9 thousand MT in 2017. Despite seeing a decline in imports last year, in response to high exchange rates, inflation, and the demand for cheaper items as a reflection of the diminishing purchasing power in the consumer markets, a fruit scarcity in the first quarter of the year may support a more pounding necessity for more imported frozen fruits to replenish industries. The largest producing state, Minas Gerais, a retainer of 54.5% of all national supply and responsible for 1/3 of South America's strawberry, suffered significant fruit crop losses with the climate upheavals. And it is yet undefined how many strawberries it reaped down. On the side, 90% of the Brazilian strawberry supply is destined for fresh markets.
The main harvest of strawberries occurs between April and June, and carryover stocks coupled with the multiple years persisting La Niña phenomenon may define how the high season shall react up ahead.