After nearly six years of negotiations, Brazil has obtained permission to export apples to Colombia, with the first shipment leaving Vacaria, Rio Grande do Sul state, on May 28 with 41 tons of Royal Gala apples. The shipments are expected to continue regularly, providing a significant market for Brazil as Colombia imports approximately 100,000 tons of apples annually. The success of these exports hinges on a protocol aimed at preventing the spread of pests, including fruit flies, scale insects, and grafolite, developed with the support of Embrapa Grape and Wine and Adalécio Kovaleski, among other entities. This protocol includes field monitoring and cold treatment of fruits, ensuring that Brazilian apples meet Colombia's phytosanitary standards.