BRAZIL

Capital: Brasilia
Population:  190,000,000
Currency: Real
Official Language(s): Portuguese

I. CHEMICAL MAXIMUM RESIDUE LEVELS (MRLs)

Please click on the above link for a list of chemical MRLs.

II. CHEMICALS AND ADDITIVE INFORMATION

    A. Chemical residue standards:

      Brazil defers to maximum residue levels established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission on chemicals for which no national maximum residue levels have been established.

    B. Monitoring chemical residues:

    C. Restrictions on use of waxes:

III. ORGANIC FRUIT REGULATIONS

Shipments must be accompanied by a "certificate of organic quality."  Brazil accepts USDA organic certification.

IV. TARIFFS

Apple, pear and cherry imports are assessed a 10% tariff based on the CIF value.

    Fruit imports from Mercosur member countries (Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil) are allowed into Brazil duty-free. In addition, fruit imports from ALADI countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela) receive preferential tariff rates.

V. NON-TARIFF BARRIERS

    A. Labeling requirements:

    Apples and Cherries:  None

    Pears:  Each carton must be labeled - stickering is allowed - in Portuguese with the following:

    1. Date of pack
    2. Country of Origin
    3. Name and address of both packer and exporter
    4. Name, CNPJ/CPF and address of importer
    5. Category or grade
    6. Product name, e.g., "Pear"
    7. Variety
    8. Net metric weight

    B. Licenses and quotas:

      Apple and pear imports from countries other than Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay are limited by a quota of 10,000 MT from August 1 through December 31. Nevertheless, import permits in excess of this quota are regularly issued by Brazilian officials.

    C. Currency Issues:

      None.

D. Pest and plant disease restrictions:

Phytosanitary certificate (PC) is required.

Apples, pears and cherries may only enter Brazil through the Port of Santos, Guarulhos International Airport in San Paulo; International Airport of Recife/Guararapes Gilberto Freyre, and Ports of Recife and Suape, located in Pernambuco State.

Plant pests and disease of concern to Brazil include:

Brevipalpus lewsisi (citrus flat mite), Conotrachelus nenuphar (plum curculio), Cydia pomonella (codling moth), Cydia (Grapholita) prunivora (lesser apple worm), Erwinia amylovora (fire blight), Gymnosporangium spp. (rusts), Phyllosticta solitaria (apple leaf blotch), Rhagoletis pomonella (apple maggot), and Tetranychus pacificus (Pacific spider mite).

For more information, contact the Northwest Horticultural Council or your local APHIS Cooperator.

E.  Solid Wood Packing Material (SWPM) Regulations:

Please refer to the SWPM section of the NHC's Technical Bulletins and Industry Advice.

F.  Other Requirements:

Brazil implemented new grade standards for pears in February of 2006.  U.S. Number 1 pears and higher grades should continue to qualify for export.  Washington 3rd Grade and C Grade pears will no longer qualify for export.  Changes to frost damage, sunburn, dehydration and other defects were also made.  Please work closely with your importer to ensure compliance.

VI. SUBSIDIES

Crop insurance is available when production loans are obtained under farm credit programs. There is no price support program for apples.

VII.  MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES FOR PACIFIC NORTHWEST TREE FRUIT INDUSTRY:

Northwest Cherry Growers/Washington State Fruit Commission:

Juan Carlos Moreira
Queretaro, Qro Mexico
Voice/Fax:  011-52-442-218-1097
E-mail:  jcmets123@gmail.com

Pear Bureau Northwest

Francesco Sicherle
Produce Marketing Comunicacao
Sao Paulo SP, BRAZIL
Voice/Fax:   011 55 14 3847 1183
Cell:  011 55 14 8124 9929
E-mail:  produce@psi.com.br

VIII.  OTHER RESOURCE LINKS:

Governmental

IX.  ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Special thanks to
FAS Field Office - Brazil

105 South 18th Street, Suite 105
Yakima, Washington 98901, USA
Voice: (509) 453-3193, Fax: (509) 457-7615

E-mail general@nwhort.org