Tropical Viticulture in Brazil: São Francisco Valley as an Important Supplier of Table Grapes to the World Market

The Brazilian vitiviniculture industry holds significant socio-economic importance, particularly in regions such as Serra Gaúcha and São Paulo. This sector encompasses various types of viticulture due to Brazil’s unique climate range, including temperate, subtropical, and tropical varieties. Each region’s characteristics vary, affecting phenology, harvest cycles, cultivars, management, and market trends. The South region primarily cultivates American and hybrid grapes for juices and wines, while the Northeast focuses on tropical and subtropical varieties for table grapes, wines, and juices. Brazil is the sole country with all three viticulture types due to diverse edaphoclimatic conditions. Implementing new technologies, improving viticultural practices, and developing cultivars have propelled the success and expansion of tropical viticulture. Traditional temperate viticulture is in the South, tropical viticulture in the Northeast, and subtropical viticulture in the Southeast, Midwest, and Northeast, particularly in high-altitude microclimates. The diversification and improvement of management practices, along with the introduction of new cultivars, have strengthened the tropical grape production chain in Brazil. Meeting the diverse demands of both domestic and international markets requires meticulous attention to factors such as rootstock, pruning methods, water and nutrient management, and post-harvest techniques. Successful growth in the sector relies on collaborating with various stakeholders, organizations, and institutions to ensure sustainable development and the production of high-quality grapes for global markets.