Rio Grande do Norte melon exporters expand into Canada after US$54.3 million in sales
Rio Grande do Norte exported about US$54.3 million of melons from January through August 2026, with Canada becoming its fifth-largest market. Agrícola Favorita plans to ship 50 containers to Canada by February 2027 as producers seek to reduce their dependence on Europe.
Canada enters the top five
Melon exporters in Rio Grande do Norte are expanding sales to Canada as Brazil’s leading fruit-producing region seeks a broader customer base beyond Europe. The northeastern state exported approximately US$54.3 million of melons between January and August 2026, according to its Economic Development Secretariat, known as Sedec.
Canada bought US$768,500 of those shipments, equivalent to about 1.4% of the state’s melon export sales during the period. Although still a relatively small destination, it ranked fifth among buyers in 2026. Spain remained the largest market at US$22 million, followed by the Netherlands at US$18.2 million, the United Kingdom at US$11.1 million and Norway at US$843,200.
The figures underline the sector’s dependence on Europe. Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom alone accounted for most of the reported revenue. Sedec said establishing a presence in North America could widen commercial opportunities and strengthen the international position of the state’s fruit industry.
Agrícola Favorita opens a new route
Agrícola Favorita began shipping to Canada in the final week of August 2026, initially dispatching one container of melons per week. The company said it would increase that pace to two containers a week and expects to send 50 containers to the country by February 2027.
The producer started operations a year earlier on 45 hectares near the boundary between Mossoró and Tibau in western Rio Grande do Norte. It also plans to begin exports to European Union countries about 30 days after the Canadian operation’s initial stage.
The Canadian entry was supported by RN+ Exportação, a program jointly run by Sebrae RN and Sedec. David Góis, Sebrae-RN’s manager for business, innovation and technology and one of the program’s coordinators, told Tribuna do Norte that Canada remains smaller than the principal markets for the state’s fruit, but already ranks ahead of traditional destinations such as Italy and Germany.
Canada is supplied mainly by the United States, Mexico and Guatemala, supported by trade agreements and easier logistics, Góis said. He argued that Brazil could establish itself as an alternative supplier during the off-season in those countries. Agrícola Favorita also identified Canadian demand for larger fruit as a favorable commercial fit.
Logistics remains the constraint
Agrícola Favorita described product distribution as a major bottleneck. This is particularly significant for melons because transit time and shipment regularity directly affect the condition of a highly perishable cargo.
Sedec said Rio Grande do Norte benefits from high solar incidence and climatic conditions that permit regular production, productivity and quality. On infrastructure, the secretariat said the duplication of the BR-304 highway should improve transport from producing areas to shipment points, reduce journey times and help fruit arrive in better condition. It also pointed to established port infrastructure as important for efficient and competitive exports.
The agency said a successful Canadian route could serve as a reference for other producers by demonstrating how to meet sanitary and logistical requirements and develop overseas buyers. It could also support shipments of other products from Rio Grande do Norte to Canada. Sedec expects the 2026/2027 harvest to generate US$1.42 billion in foreign sales, while the durability of Canada’s new top-five position will depend on whether exporters can turn initial shipments into regular commercial volumes.
