Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
6 min of reading 
0 comments 
Among orchards of the Midwest, direct sales and artisanal sweets, the purple fig of Valinhos leaves the backyards and gains space in Santa Catarina with simpler management, high added value and a supply chain that already projects up to 10 or 12 tons in the medium term
The landscape of the Santa Catarina Midwest is changing with a crop that, for decades, was restricted to backyards and small properties: fig orchards. In April 2026, producers and rural families in the region report a consistent advancement in cultivation, supported by three factors that impact both finances and daily routines: low implementation cost, simpler management, and good market acceptance.
The growth is noteworthy because figs are becoming a real alternative for income and production organization, especially among family farmers. The movement combines daily care of the orchard, harvesting at the right time, and selling close to the consumer, in addition to a decisive boost provided by transforming the fruit into sweets, preserves, and jams, a way to circumvent the fruit’s sensitivity and short shelf life.
What explains the advancement: orchards with low cost, simpler management, and high demand
The cultivation of figs is still discreet in the state and is far from large production chains, but it is advancing consistently in the Midwest. The most common variety is the purple fig of Valinhos, adapted to the local climate and valued both for fresh consumption and for the production of sweets and preserves.
-
Amado Batista sold a 7,200 km² farm in Mato Grosso for R$ 350 million in 2025, a property larger than many Brazilian municipalities, with three runways, ten lakes, and 17,000 cattle, and still maintains other farms that generate R$ 120 million a year just from the sale of cattle.
-
The Santa Catarina native known as the Egg King started with a farm in Lauro Müller and now runs a multinational that operates on three continents, and the latest move was to buy an American premium egg farm to compete with global giants.
-
FAO calls on the world to prepare because up to 75 billion tons of fertile soil may disappear while the foundation of 95% of the planet’s food silently degrades and threatens global agricultural production.
-
Those who plant sugarcane in Brazil are paying R$ 355 more per hectare just because of the rise in diesel prices, and if the price continues to rise, the deficit in agribusiness could exceed R$ 14 billion and put pressure on food prices for everyone.
In the routine of those who plant, the orchard becomes part of daily life and gains a practical meaning: it is a crop that connects work, permanence in the field, and proximity to the consumer. This dynamic reduces the distance between producer and market and reinforces the value of the product when it arrives fresh, harvested, and sold in local circuits.
A crop that boosts new beginnings in the field: when the orchard becomes an income plan
In the community of Rondinha, in Videira, the fig marked a turning point. After years dedicated to vinegar production, producer Agostinho Zago reports that a decision motivated by health issues led to a transition to a less physically demanding activity with more accessible costs.
The reasoning is repeated in different properties: the fig requires less labor compared to other fruit trees and does not demand such a high initial investment. The management includes pruning and phytosanitary control, which are considered simpler, facilitating the entry of new producers and allowing orchards to grow gradually.
The numbers that explain the potential: from 150 plants to projections of up to 12 tons
As cultivation progresses, the expansion of the orchard becomes a strategy. In properties that invest in the crop, there are production projections that can reach up to 10 or 12 tons in the medium term, depending on the number of plants and management conditions.
In Arroio Trinta, within a diversified system with persimmons, plums, and peaches, one example shows how the fig serves as a complement: with about 150 plants, the production expectation ranges between 1,300 and 1,600 kilograms per harvest, varying according to climatic conditions. The harvest is manual and requires attention to the ideal ripeness, with care in handling due to the sensitivity of the fruit.
What changes in practice: direct sales, fewer intermediaries, and more value in the orchard
The advancement of the fig does not depend only on planting but also on the way it is marketed. In many cases, sales happen directly to the end consumer, which ensures freshness, adds value to the product, and strengthens local relationships.
By reducing intermediaries, the producer improves the margin and gains predictability. For family orchards, this detail is decisive: it transforms a traditional crop into a source of income with more control over price, quality, and destination of production.
Tradition that becomes business: sweets, preserves, and agro-industry to avoid losing the fruit
The short shelf life of figs makes agro-industrialization gain prominence. Sweets, preserves, jams, and fig chimia appear as a way to avoid losses and increase profitability, leveraging knowledge passed down through generations, especially in families of Italian descent.
Producer Lucia Maria Zago reports that the idea of making fig chimia comes from her childhood, when she saw her mother prepare the sweet for the family, and describes the preparation linked to the ground fire, where the smoke mixes with the fruit. In Jaborá, this craftsmanship has evolved into a structured agro-industry, capable of absorbing not only its own production but also that of other farmers, expanding the chain and distributing income.
Why demand pulls the chain: when fig jam is lacking and opportunities abound
The logic that accelerates the sector is simple: the demand for fig jams exceeds local supply. As a result, producers start buying raw materials from neighbors, creating a circuit that benefits more families and gives purpose to the fruit that, being sensitive, could easily go to waste.
The full utilization also reinforces the sustainability of the activity. The ripe fig becomes jam, the out-of-standard fruit finds a destination, and even less conventional parts, like leaves, can be used in preparations, expanding uses and reducing waste throughout the process.
Youth, permanence, and succession: orchards as choice and not just inheritance
Beyond income, figs play a role in keeping young people in the countryside. In some cases, returning to the property is no longer just a family continuity but a decision based on opportunity, quality of life, and identification with the work.
Young producer Bruno Cividini summarizes this relationship with the activity by saying that he enjoys what he does and seeks to produce with quality. In this scenario, succession gains new meaning: knowledge is inherited but also updated with new practices and marketing strategies, making the system more professional and sustainable.
From the field to tourism: harvest, pot, and experience that adds value to the orchard
The emotional bond of the consumer with figs also boosts rural tourism. In some properties, visitors participate in the harvest, follow the preparation of jams, and experience traditional practices linked to local history.
The proposal transforms everyday life into an experience: picking the fruit, seeing the pot in preparation, and recalling childhood memories associated with grandparents’ backyards. This reinforces the cultural value of figs and creates an additional showcase for family orchards that want to sell more and differentiate themselves.
Beyond flavor: fibers, antioxidants, and minerals that increase interest in figs
The fruit also stands out for its nutritional benefits mentioned by producers and the tradition of consumption. Figs are rich in fiber, aid in intestinal function, and promote greater satiety. Antioxidants are associated with the prevention of aging and diseases, while minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus are seen as allies of bone health.
With nutritional value, versatility, and emotional memory, figs expand market potential and strengthen a model that combines family orchards, artisanal transformation, and new income opportunities in Midwestern Santa Catarina.
And for you: fig orchards, with direct sales and artisanal jams, could become the next great income alternative to keep families in the countryside in Santa Catarina?
Seja o primeiro a reagir!