The importation of strawberries from Egypt has significantly impacted local farmers in Espírito Santo, Brazil, by decreasing prices in the market and reducing the income of families reliant on strawberry cultivation. Local producers have expressed concerns as the foreign product arrives at a price that is lower than their production costs, thus complicating their ability to compete effectively. In 2022, Brazil imported just over 4,000 tons of Egyptian strawberries, but this volume surged to approximately 42,000 tons in the subsequent year, highlighting a dramatic increase in imports.

Farmers in the Serrana region of Espírito Santo face production costs ranging between R$ 15 and R$ 16 per kilogram of strawberries, whereas Egyptian strawberries are entering the market at around R$ 8 per kilogram. This price discrepancy poses a troubling question for local farmers, as illustrated by Vanderlei Marquez, the Secretary of Agriculture in Santa Maria de Jetibá, who noted the unsustainable nature of selling locally at R$ 10 or R$ 11 per kilogram when their production expenses reach R$ 16. Such conditions threaten the viability of local strawberry farming.

The ongoing situation raises significant concerns about the future of agriculture in the region, as local farmers struggle not only with competitive pricing but also with the long-term implications of relying on domestic production. The growing presence of international imports, like the strawberries from Egypt, could lead to potential economic challenges for the agricultural sector in Espírito Santo, prompting calls for reevaluation of trade practices and support for local producers in the face of such intense competition.