The adversities caused by the phenomenon El Niño they still push up fruit prices in the State and in the country. The five fruits most consumed by Brazilians (banana, orange, watermelon, apple and papaya) had an increase of up to 60% in the price of the Rio Grande do Sul Supply Centers (Ceasa/RS) in the last twelve months. However, some varieties of fruits suffered a drop in prices.
The Gala apple had the most significant increase, going from R$5.55 per kilo, in April 2023, to R$8.89 in April 2024, an increase of 60.18%. On the other hand, the Fuji variety fell by 5.05% in the same period. Papaya, produced in Espírito Santo, is currently sold in Centrals for R$16.75 per kilogram this year. Last year the average price was R$11, an increase of 52.27%. The Formosa variety saw a decrease of 33.66%, from R$9.24 to R$6.13 in twelve months.
In relation to bananas, the caturra variety increased by 43.48%. The fruit was sold for R$2.76 per kilogram in April last year. Today, it is offered for R$3.96. Orange, the second fruit in the consumption ranking, rose 36.38% in the navel variety. Third place, occupied by watermelon, had the lowest increase, of 7.04%. A kilo cost R$2.13. Now, it is quoted at R$2.28.
