Orange production forecast update for the 2017-2018 season of Sao Paulo and West-Southwest of Minas Gerais Citrus Belt

Orange production final¹ estimate totals 398.35 million boxes

The 2017-2018 orange production final estimate for the São Paulo and West-Southwest of Minas Gerais Citrus Belt, published on April 10, 2018 by Fundecitrus – Fund for Citrus Protection, carried out in cooperation with Markestrat, FEA- RP/USP and FCAV/Unesp² – is of 398.35 million boxes of 40.8 kg each, 62 % higher in comparison to that of the previous crop (2016-2017) with a final figure of 245.31 million boxes, and 25 % above the average of the seasons of the last ten years3. All crop estimate updates published along the season showed positive change as compared to the previous expectation. The final figure represents an increase of 0.27 % in relation to the update published in February 2018 and 9.30 % in relation to the initial May 2017 forecast.

The closing figure for total production includes:

• 77.48 million boxes of the Hamlin, Westin and Rubi varieties;
• 18.02 million boxes of the Valencia Americana, Valencia Argentina, Seleta and Pineapple varieties;
• 118.47 million boxes of the Pera Rio variety;
• 139.62 million boxes of the Valencia and Valencia Folha Murcha varieties;
• 44.76 million boxes of the Natal variety.

Approximately 30.51 million boxes of the final estimated crop were produced in the West of Minas Gerais.

Regarding the productivity index, the crop 2017-2018 showed a remarkable performance: 1,033 boxes were harvested per hectare, against 634 boxes per hectare in 2016-2017. The significant variation between the two crops was triggered by a favorable conjunction of factors. Suitable weather for citrus growing and improved cultural practices in groves in 2016, evidenced by the increased demand of inputs for crop nutritional and phytosanitary management, influenced positive results…

¹ Hamlin, Westin, Rubi, Valencia Americana, Valencia Argentina, Seleta, Pineapple Pera Rio, Valencia, Valencia Folha Murcha and Natal.
² Department of math and science.

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