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Harsh Winter Benefits Apple Harvest in Southern Brazil. Production is Expected to Grow 37% in 2026, with Expectations of Larger and Sweeter Fruits.
The harshness of the winter of 2025 is transforming the reality of apple orchards in Southern Brazil. According to the Brazilian Association of Apple Producers (ABPM), the harvest projected for 2026 is expected to be 37% larger compared to the previous year, a direct result of the intense cold weather that favors the fruit’s development.
The expectation is to harvest 1.1 million tons, a figure that represents a recovery after recent losses caused by irregular weather conditions.
“This is one of the best winters of the last decade,” said Francisco Schio, president of ABPM, highlighting the positive impact of low temperatures on the crop.
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Why Cold Winter is Essential for Apple Harvest
Intense cold is essential for the apple tree to enter dormancy, a phase in which it reduces its metabolism and accumulates energy to bloom vigorously in spring.
This stage is crucial for ensuring that the apple harvest reaches consumers crispy, sweet, and with good coloration.
According to Schio, more than 600 hours annually with temperatures below 7°C are necessary to ensure production quality.
In 2025, this number more than doubled compared to the previous winter, without the so-called “veranicos,” off-season warm periods that harm the crop.
Producers Celebrate Expectations of Significant Increase
Enthusiasm is also felt among producers. Gianfranco Perazzolo, who cultivates 15 hectares in São Francisco de Paula (RS), expects a productivity jump of over 150% in 2026.
“Last year we had only 300 to 400 hours of cold, and the irregular weather hindered plant development. Now, we expect to increase from 22 tons per hectare to about 40 tons,” explained the farmer.
He emphasizes that the climatic scenario should remain favorable until November, although he mentions the possibility of a weak La Niña in September, which could reduce summer rainfall.
“This is a year of climatic neutrality, which will be good for apples; however, there is a trend of a weak La Niña in September, which may lead to low rainfall in summer, and we need good rains in December and January,” he warned.
Larger and Sweeter Fruits with Ideal Weather
In addition to the increase in volume, the cold weather favors the formation of larger fruits. The next decisive stage will be pollination, expected in September.
For this, the weather needs to be sunny and dry, unlike what was recorded in 2024, when excessive rains harmed the harvest.
Before harvest, it is essential for the orchards to experience thermal amplitude—warm days and cooler nights—along with low rainfall. This balance ensures redder and sweeter apples, characteristics valued by the market.
Harvest and Economic Impact of the Apple Crop
The apple harvest in Brazil occurs from January to May, starting with the Gala variety and ending with Fuji, the most consumed in the country. Currently, the production chain has 4,000 producers spread over 35,000 hectares.
About 20% of the production is directed to the industry, mainly for apple juice, as it does not meet the aesthetic standards required by consumers.
“In the last two years, due to crop failures, producers have even received a good price from the industry, but usually, the remuneration does not reach 30% of the fruit’s value,” explained Schio.
Prospects for the Future of Apple Cultivation
With the strengthening of the 2026 harvest, producers believe in a positive trend for the coming years. This is because harsh winters increase budding and branch formation, benefiting subsequent harvests.
“The trend is for this improvement to continue, with a direct impact on the quality and quantity of production,” evaluated Perazzolo.
Thus, the intense cold that worries other sectors of the economy proves to be a crucial ally for the apple harvest in Southern Brazil, projecting a cycle of recovery and growth for thousands of producers.
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