Total orange production1 for the 2025-2026 crop season ended at 292.94 million boxes
The 2025-2026 orange crop for the São Paulo and West-Southwest Minas Gerais citrus belt, published by Fundecitrus, carried out in cooperation with full professor (retired) from FCAV/Unesp2, concluded with 292.94 million boxes of 40.8 kg each (90 lbs), divided as follows:
- 46.23 million boxes of the Hamlin, Westin and Rubi early-season varieties;
- 17.65 million boxes of the Valencia Americana, Seleta, Pineapple and Alvorada early-season varieties;
- 87.44 million boxes of the Pera mid-season variety;
- 104.53 million boxes of the Valencia and Folha Murcha late-season varieties;
- 37.09 million boxes of the Natal late-season variety.
Of the total, about 25.69 million boxes were produced in the Triângulo Mineiro region.
Production this season was 26.9 % higher compared to the previous crop, which reached 230.87 million boxes, and 6.9 % lower than the initial forecast released in May 2025. Climatic and phytosanitary factors, within the context of a more delayed harvest, contributed to higher fruit drop rates and to reduced fruit weight compared to the initial forecast. The 2025-2026 crop was marked by a later harvest pace compared to previous crop seasons due to the high proportion of second-bloom fruit and to harvesting at optimal maturity. In this context, most of the Pera variety was expected to be harvested after the onset of heavier spring rains; however, nearly half of its production was harvested under dry conditions, as rainfall only intensified midway through October. Moreover, below-average rainfall throughout the period also adversely impacted the weight of the late varieties Valencia, Folha Murcha, and Natal, which were harvested through mid-January and did not reach the expected weight of the initial forecast. Furthermore, the premature fruit drop rate in this crop reached the highest level observed over the past 11 crop seasons, driven by increased greening severity, higher incidence of citrus leprosis, water deficit, and the occurrence of strong wind gusts throughout the production cycle …
Please download the complete forecast here.
1Hamlin, Westin, Rubi, Valencia Americana, Seleta, Pineapple, Alvorada, Pera Rio, Valencia, Valencia Folha Murcha, and, Natal.
2Department of math and science, FCAV/Unesp Jaboticabal Campus.
All oranges 12.2 million boxes
The 2025-2026 Florida all orange forecast released by the USDA Agricultural Statistics Board is increased 200,000 boxes to 12.2 million boxes. If realised, this will be 1 percent less than last season’s revised production. The forecast consists of 4.70 million boxes of non-Valencia oranges (early, mid-season, and Navel varieties) and 7.50 million boxes of Valencia oranges. A 7-year regression was used for comparison purposes. All references to “average”, “minimum”, and “maximum” refer to the previous 10 seasons, excluding the 2017-2018 season, which was affected by Hurricane Irma, the 2022-2023 season which was affected by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, and the 2024-2025 season which was affected by Hurricane Milton. Average fruit per tree includes both regular bloom and the first late bloom …
Please download the complete forecast here.
De La Calle, the modern Mexican soda brand inspired by the street tradition of tepache, introduces Strawberry Citrus, a bold new flavour that signals the brand’s next chapter in fruit-forward refreshment.
Strawberry Citrus blends ripe, juicy strawberries with a bright mix of citrus for a crisp, refreshing soda crafted through fermentation. The flavour balances sweetness and acidity for a vibrant, crushable profile that feels both nostalgic and entirely modern. Inspired by Mexico’s everyday street life, Strawberry Citrus honours the tradition of tepache while confidently expanding it into the evolving soda category.
The launch marks a continued evolution for De La Calle as it leans further into expressive fruit flavour and vibrant design. Strawberry Citrus debuts alongside the brand’s new Frutas campaign, which celebrates bold fruit imagery, playful collages, and the cultural role of fruit in Mexican street life. Together, the flavour and campaign position De La Calle as a more flavour-led, visually dynamic modern Mexican soda brand.
Like all De La Calle sodas, Strawberry Citrus is USDA Organic and contains 6 g of fiber, 60 calories or less, and 9 g of sugar or less, with functional benefits including high Vitamin C. The brand continues to bridge better-for-you credentials with bold, craveable flavour.
Strawberry Citrus launches in the US with Target as a key retail partner and will also be available at additional retailers and online.
De La Calle’s modern Mexican soda offers a refreshing, low-sugar, and low-calorie alternative to traditional sodas. With eight times less sugar than conventional Mexican sodas like Jarritos and significantly less than mainstream options like Fanta and Mexican colas, De La Calle’s Tepache is a better-for-you, craft-fermented beverage available at an affordable price, starting at $ 2.49 per can.
Citrus farmers are concerned about rising production costs. The sharpest price increase in March was observed for oil-related products, such as nitrogen fertilisers and diesel oil, due to ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran. This situation has disrupted oil production and constrained the global trade flow, leading to higher maritime freight costs.
Phosphate fertiliser prices have also risen, while potassium fertiliser quotations have seen only minimal increases.
Data from the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) show that diesel oil prices increased 15.4 % up to mid-March. Considering that, at the moment, the main mechanical activity performed by citrus growers is spraying, this rise in diesel prices could account for a 5.8 % increase in costs for the crop just from spraying alone, disregarding other activities and freight. This situation is concerning, as profit margins are expected to be tight in the next orange harvest.
Therefore, geopolitical developments in the coming weeks are concerning, as they could impact crop investments.
The 2025/26 orange season is nearing its end in the citrus belt in São Paulo and Triângulo Mineiro. Players surveyed by Cepea report that the harvested volumes have already declined. As the season winds down, major processors still receiving fruits are concentrating operations in only a few processing units.
The most recent report by Fundecitrus, released in late January, indicated that only 13 % of the total volume estimated for the 2025/26 season was left to be harvested. It is likely that less than 5 % of the crop remains unharvested in late February.
The return of processing activities involving 2026/27 oranges is expected to take place between April and May.
As for prices, data from Cepea indicate that quotations of pear oranges delivered at the industry have averaged BRL 34.53 per 40.8-kilo box in February (up to Feb. 26), downing 7.69 % in relation to that in January.
Concerning in natura market, the supply of high-quality fruits has been decreasing. The demand, in turn, is still firm. In the partial of February, values of pear oranges have averaged BRL 41.40 per 40.8-kg box, on tree, for a decrease of 2.87 % against the first month of 2026.
As the 2025/26 season is close to the end, the sector is now focusing on weather conditions and its consequent impacts on the development of the 2026/27 crop.
The 2025/26 orange harvesting has been progressing well – up to mid-January, only 13 % of the crop remained to be harvested. The new estimate released in mid-February by Fundecitrus showed a slight change compared to the previous report, issued on December/25.
Fundecitrus says that the citrus belt in São Paulo and in Triângulo/Southwest of Minas Gerais is likely to produce 292.6 million 40.8 kg boxes, downing 0.7 % against the previous report, but 26.7 % above that verified in the 2024/25 crop.
The slightly smaller projection compared to the previous is linked to adjustments in the production of late fruits, such as valência and folha murcha, which are likely to amount 104.27 million boxes, 1.8 % less than that reported in December.
As the crop is nearing the end (Fundecitrus says that there are only 13 % of the crop left to be harvested), players surveyed by Cepea indicate that some units may finish processing activities this month. In addition to that, since the 2025/26 season is close to the end, players are focusing on the development of the 2026/27 crop.
Heavy rains in January affected the citrus market, especially the in natura segment. High humidity increased the incidence of fungus on trees, leading fruits to drop and affecting the quality. Part of the production that is sent to the industry ends up lost, while another share hits the market with low quality, pressing down quotations in a scenario of high supply.
In spite of the high humidity, January ended with relative stable prices of pear oranges for the industry. Players say that processing activities have been reducing gradually in some units in São Paulo, while other have directed part of their capacity to crush the tahiti lime.
The price average in January was at BRL 37.17 per 40.8-kilo box, stable in relation to December (BRL 37.05/box).
As for the tahiti lime, the high supply continues to press down values. Players surveyed by Cepea say that, due to low quotations verified in previous weeks, producers keep fruits on trees for longer, and they are likely to fall.
The price average for the tahiti lime is at BRL 22.97 per 27.2-kilo box in the last week of January, downing 9 % compared to that in the period before. Quotations for the fruit to export were at BRL 26.71 per 27.2-kilo box, for a decrease of 8 %.
2026 tends to be one of the most challenging year for the citrus sector in Brazil. Although the 2025/26 crop presents a good volume of production, close to 300 million boxes of 40.8-kg, this potential has been partially affected by the high rate of fruit droppage, due to greening and citrus canker, in addition to unfavorable weather conditions in important developmental stages.
At the same time, the demand for orange juice is low in Europe, hindering trades of the commodity in current price levels. As the pace of trades is slow, juice stocks tend to increase at processing companies, reducing the need of the industry to buy new fruit loads. Therefore, the competition between juice sellers and purchasers intensifies, while the industry is more careful about purchases.
A possible recovery of the OJ consumption tends to be gradual. Price drops to final consumers progress slowly, and the demand in the Northern Hemisphere tends to be more limited, due to the winter period. Therefore, in the summer 2026, the demand may increase again, favoring a reaction in OJ sales and in the consumption of inventories.
Concerning oranges, the 2025/26 season is likely to finish with a volume that is slightly lower than 300 million 40.8-kg boxes in the citrus belt of São Paulo and Triângulo Mineiro. Still, the crop has been leading to a recovery of inventories, since it presented high-quality fruits. As for the 2026/27 season, greening and citrus canker concern producers, boosting production costs and limiting productivity gains.
As for the development of the 2026/27 crop, the heterogeneous weather among regions tends to result in distinct conditions in producing regions.
Pear orange prices to the industry started 2025 at high levels (BRL 88 per 40.8-kilo box in the first weeks of the year), influenced by the limited supply and the firm demand for fruits, which had presented good quality up until then.
However, prices dropped in the following months. Inventories of orange juice with lower quality and the low demand for new orange batches from the industry led quotations offered by citrus growers to decrease in the second quarter of the year. Moreover, in May, Fundecitrus projected a higher crop in the citrus belt of São Paulo and Triângulo Mineiro, at 314.6 million 40.8-kg boxes.
The high rate of fruit droppage has been in the spotlight since the beginning of the season. Fundecitrus indicated in December that the rate had reached 23 % due to diseases such as the citrus greening and unfavorable weather conditions. Therefore, Fundecitrus reduced the production estimate for the 2025/26 season to 294.81 million boxes.
In addition to that, the sector faced months of uncertainties about the possible US tariff on orange juice imports from Brazil. However, in July, the US government decided to exempt the national product from the extra tariff of 40 %, but keeping the 10 % tax, which was in effect until November 10, 2025. Currently, only the USD 415/ton tariff is in effect.
In spite of that, the performance of exports in the beginning of the season (between July and November 2025) was still below that registered in the same period of the season before.
In this scenario of a delayed crop and of contracts established later and at smaller volumes, the pressure on values was intensified in the last quarter of the year.
All oranges 12.0 million boxes
The 2025-2026 Florida all orange forecast released by the USDA Agricultural Statistics Board is 12.0 million boxes down 2 percent from last season’s final production. The total includes 4.50 million boxes of non-Valencia oranges (early, mid-season, and Navel varieties) and 7.50 million boxes of Valencia oranges.
The estimated number of bearing trees for all oranges is 20.7 million. Trees planted in 2022 and earlier are considered bearing for this season. Field work for the latest Commercial Citrus Inventory was completed in June 2025. Attrition rates were applied to the results to determine the number of bearing trees used to weigh and expand objective count data in the forecast model …
Please download the complete forecast here.
Total orange production1 is updated at 294.81 million boxes
The second update of the 2025-2026 orange crop forecast for the São Paulo and West-Southwest Minas Gerais citrus belt, published on December 10, 2025, by Fundecitrus, carried out in cooperation with professor (retired) from FCAV/Unesp2, is 294.81 million boxes of 40.8 kg (90-pound box). In comparison to the May forecast, the crop season is expected to yield 19.79 million fewer boxes, a decline of 6.3 %. Compared to the last forecast released in September, which projected 306.74 million boxes, the new estimate indicates a 3.9 % reduction, corresponding to a decrease of 11.9 million boxes. This downward trend is due to the estimated smaller average size of oranges and a higher rate of premature fruit drop. It is also estimated that approximately 25.83 million boxes will be harvested in the Triângulo Mineiro region.
When the last updated forecast was disclosed in September, the harvest pace indicated that a significant portion of the Pera variety crop would be harvested after the more intense rains expected during spring. However, rainfall in September …
Please download the complete forecast here.
1Hamlin, Westin, Rubi, Valencia Americana, Seleta, Pineapple, Alvorada, Pera, Valencia, Folha Murcha and Natal.
2Department of Exact Sciences, FCAV/Unesp Jaboticabal Campus.
Rains in the second half of November favoured most producing regions in the citrus belt (São Paulo state and Triângulo Mineiro), supporting development of the 2026/27 crop and improving fruit quality for the 2025/26 season.
However, in several areas, rainfall came with strong winds and hail, damaging trees, fruits and flowers. Players surveyed by Cepea say the frequency of extreme weather events this year is a concern.
Prices
Despite the good fruit quality, in natura orange prices dropped in late November, pressured by the devaluation observed in the industry. Between November 24 and 27, pear orange in the spot market averaged BRL 38.44 per 40.8-kg box, down 1.82 % compared to that in the period before. In the in natura market, pear orange quotations decreased 5.29 % this week compared to the previous, closing at BRL 53.30 per 40.8-kg box. In the accumulated of the month, prices moved down 14.7 %.
Tariffs
The export sector of citrus products gained an important tariff relief in late November. The government from the United States exempted the additional tariff of 10 % for the orange juice. As for byproducts (essential oils, therapeutic byproducts and orange pulp), the 10 % tax continues, but they were exempted from the 40 % tariff.
This is good news for the sector, since it faces a slow pace of OJ shipments, especially to Europe. The European Union has been purchasing less than the usual. Therefore, the reduction of costs to send the product to the US market may favor sales of the Brazilian product, compensating the smaller demand from Europe.
The World Citrus Organisation (WCO) has released its annual Northern Hemisphere Citrus Forecast for the upcoming citrus season (2025-2026), which was presented on the occasion of the 2025-2026 Northern Hemisphere Citrus Forecast Outlook, organised on 20 November by WCO. The Forecast, based on data from Egypt, Greece, Israel, Italy, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, the United States, and Portugal, shows that citrus production is expected to decrease by 1.51 % compared to the 2024-2025 season, with a total of 27,397,239 t, which is also a 5.13 % decrease from the average of the previous four seasons.
WCO, the World Citrus Organisation, released on 20 November its annual Northern Hemisphere Citrus Forecast for the upcoming season (2025-26). The preliminary Forecast is based on data from industry associations from the Mediterranean region and the United States. Citrus production for 2025/2026 is expected to decrease by 1.51 % compared to the 2024-2025 season, with a total of 27,397,239 t, which is also a 5.13 % decrease compared to the average of the previous four seasons. Exports are also foreseen to decline (-0.81 % compared to last season and -8.25 % compared to the 4-year average, respectively).
Looking at the country-specific figures for the largest producers in the EU, Spain’s citrus production is projected to decrease by 9.72 % compared to the previous season, to a total of 5.59 million t (-11.20% lower than the previous four seasons). The second-largest EU producer, Italy, also foresees a decrease in its volumes (-6.12 %, 3 million t in total), with Greece (1.23 million t) also reducing its production by 1.58 %. Portugal, contributing to the forecast for the second year, expects a 14.20 % increase (0.38 million t). Looking at the main non-EU countries in the Mediterranean, Egypt expects a 13.85 % growth to become the largest producer with 4.95 million t. Turkey, on the other hand, foresees a stark decline in 2025-2026 compared to both last year (-10.83 %) and the average of the last four seasons (-15.31 %), with 4.42 million t. The situation in Morocco should remain stable at 2.09 million t. Regarding the smaller non-EU Mediterranean producers, Israel reports the largest increase (+24.12 %, 0.53 million t in total), while the estimates for Tunisia are 3 % lower than last season (0.37 million t). Although the release of the yearly forecast by the USDA has been delayed due to the government shutdown, early estimates from California and Florida indicate a 4.53 % increase, bringing the American production to 4.85 million t, pending further revisions.
Looking at the production by category, oranges (representing 51 % of the total volumes) are set to decrease by 2.16 % to a total of 13.86 million t. Soft citrus production should increase by 5.91 % (8.51 million t in total), while lemons are expected to experience a 12.38 % reduction (4.23 million t). Finally, grapefruit production is predicted to increase slightly to 0.79 million t (+1.17% compared to 2024-2025).
Next April, the WCO will release the 2026 production and export forecast for the Southern Hemisphere.
Exporters had good perspectives for the 2025/26 season of orange juice, especially due to the exemption of the US tariff on imports of the commodity from Brazil and to the increase in the orange production in São Paulo state.
However, the limited demand from Europe kept international sales of orange juice below-expected from July to October 2025. As for November, shipments may continue to register low performance, since European acquisitions are still moving at a slow pace.
As a result, players from the crushing industry in São Paulo state have been cautious about purchasing fruits, keeping only contracts closed before and buying exclusively in the spot market – purchasers have been offering lower quotations, from BRL 35 to BRL 38.00 per box, delivered at the industry in SP.
The impacts of the pressure from the industry have started to hit the market of in natura fruits. Due to low values paid by the processing industry, part of the production is expected to be allocated to the in natura market, which can increase the supply in the wholesale supply center and, consequently, press down quotations to producers.
Retailers and Foodservice operators across multiple industries to benefit from industrial grade technology that delivers up to 50 % more juice per orange than traditional juicers
JBT Marel, a leading global provider of integrated food processing solutions, unveiled a fresh juice game-changer: the Fresh’n Squeeze® 1800 Citrus Juicer. It features the same whole fruit extraction technology as the larger free-standing models in the Fresh’n Squeeze® product line. (Which is also the same technology that allows JBT Marel to juice over 75 % of the world’s citrus, thanks to its industrial grade juicers.) The big difference lies in the size: the 1800 model features a smaller countertop footprint that will save retailers on labour and space, whether they are a grocery store, juice bar, hotel, resort, or coffee shop.
The Fresh’n Squeeze® 1800’s advanced whole fruit extraction process delivers fresh, flavourful juice by instantly separating juice from peel and seeds to preserve its integrity. This fresh citrus juice solution maximises juice yield by up to 50 % per fruit compared to traditional cut-and-press technology. It can process up to 50 oz of juice per minute while preserving natural taste and nutrients, ultimately enhancing profitability for a higher return on investment. This opens the door for food retailers and foodservice operators to consider it as a fresh differentiator for their business – as well as a source of additional revenue.
“Implementing Fresh’n Squeeze® juicers in-store has been linked to an 18 % increase in sales,” said Megan Dyer, Director of Key Accounts and Beverage at JBT Marel. “The fresh aroma of citrus and the health-focused connection to fresh juice create an experience that attracts customers and encourages them to purchase. It’s a win-win for shoppers looking for healthier options and food service retailers looking to broaden their offerings with fresh offerings, drive traffic to the perimeter, and strengthen their bottom line.”
The Fresh’n Squeeze® 1800 is capable of handling all types of citrus fruits without adjustment or additional juicing heads. This enables businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops to diversify their menus with ease. It also allows for customisable pulp content for added versatility.
With its compact, sleek design, the Fresh’n Squeeze® 1800 is built to save valuable floor space while offering ease of use and long-term reliability. The machine’s minimal parts simplify disassembly and cleaning, which reduces maintenance. Engineered for durability, the Fresh’n Squeeze® 1800 is capable of withstanding high-volume use in both behind-the-counter prep and front-of-house self-serve settings.
New technology protects citrus flavours from the dulling effects of oxidation, producing vibrant true-to-fruit flavour profiles with long-lasting consistency in RTD beverages and drink mixes
California-based T. Hasegawa USA Inc., one of the world’s top food and beverage flavour manufacturers, launched an advanced technology designed to help beverage manufacturers create fresh-tasting citrus drinks with better shelf life consistency.
The company introduced HASECITRUS™, a natural flavour stabilising product that protects citrus flavours from the dulling effects of oxidation – a process where oxygen, pH and temperature reacts with flavour compounds in citrus, changing the colour, aroma and taste.
Citrus flavour oxidation causes major problems for beverage producers who need consistency of flavour and shelf stability in packaged form. Both dry and liquid beverages can be affected by UV light and temperature fluctuations, which can affect the pH balance and accelerate the process of oxidation. HASECITRUS uses a shelf-stable design that does not rely on less refined citrus commodities to help manufacturers create beverage formulations that maintain citrus flavour profiles for longer periods without refrigeration or special packaging.
“Citrus beverages are becoming increasingly complex in categories like sports nutrition and energy that feature added functional ingredients like protein and electrolytes – but consumers also want clean label, preservative-free products,” explained Mark Webster, vice president of sales and marketing at T. Hasegawa USA. “This is driving demand for new technologies like HASECITRUS that enable manufacturers to overcome the effects of oxidation and offer natural flavour beverages that remind consumers what fresh citrus tastes like.”
The new technology was developed as part of T. Hasegawa’s “Bridge to Tokyo” program, which combines the R&D expertise and innovations of the company’s global headquarters in Japan and its California-based U.S. subsidiary. HASECITRUS was developed over a two-year period, inspired by technology from the company’s research and flavour innovations center in Japan.
HASECITRUS launches in eight distinct flavour variants including Lemon; Lime; Orange; Blood Orange; Navel Orange; Lemon Lime; White Grapefruit and Pink Grapefruit. These flavours are offered initially in liquid form, with a dry powder option available upon request. HASECITRUS flavours meet FDA guidelines for natural flavours, upholding clean-label formulations, and the product can be made to conform to non-GMO and Kosher certifications.
Due to the cold wave in the South, Southeast and in some areas of the Central-West in Brazil in late June, some citrus producing regions in São Paulo, Paraná and in the south of Minas Gerais registered frosts on June 26. In spite of that, only some areas were affected and producers are still evaluating if there are impacts.
Players surveyed by Cepea say that major concerns are about the tahiti lime, since low temperatures may affect the fruit color in this period of limited supply. As for ponkan tangerine, frosts in this period can accelerate fruit droppage. Moreover, the cold weather may also affect the colour of the fruit.
Prices
The proximity of the new crop continues to press down orange quotations in the natura market – the supply of early fruits is higher. Prices of pear oranges in the in natura market were at BRL 60.48 per 40.8 kg box, on tree, between June 23 and 27, downing 4.1 % compared to that in the previous period.
As for tahiti lime, the price average from June 23-27 is BRL 40.16 per 27.2 kg box, moving down 1.9 % in the same comparison.
Florida
The report released in June by the USDA indicates that the 2024/25 orange crop in Florida is likely to total 12 million 40.8 kg boxes, upping 370 thousand boxes in relation to that released in the May report, but still 33.5 % smaller compared to the season before (2023/24).
Exports
Brazilian shipments of orange juice in the partial of the current season (2024/25 – from July/24 to May/25) continue below the volume registered in the same period of previous crops.
So far, Brazil shipped 730.948 thousand tons of OJ (equivalent to concentrate juice – 66º Brix), which is 22.4 % smaller than that in the same period of the season before (from July/23 to May/24) – data from Comexstat. It is worth noting that, in the first 11 months of previous crops, the volume was close to 1 million tons. The combination of lower quality and high prices have been limiting exports.
The revenue, in turn, continues to grow, boosted by high prices paid for the commodity, especially at the beginning of the season. In the partial of the 2024/25 crop, the revenue has totaled USD 3.285 billion, 33.1 % up in relation to that verified in the same period of the 2023/24 season.
All Oranges 12.0 Million Boxes
The 2024-2025 Florida all orange forecast released by the USDA Agricultural Statistics Board is 12.0 million boxes. The total includes 4.60 million boxes of non-Valencia oranges (early, mid-season, and Navel varieties) and 7.40 million boxes of Valencia oranges …
Please download the complete forecast here.
All Oranges 11.6 Million Boxes
The 2024-2025 Florida all orange forecast released by the USDA Agricultural Statistics Board is up less than 1 percent at 11.6 million boxes. If realised, this will be 36 percent less than last season’s final production. The forecast consists of 4.58 million boxes of non-Valencia oranges (early, mid-season, and Navel varieties) and 7.05 million boxes of Valencia oranges …
Please download the complete forecast here.
2025-2026 orange crop forecast
The 2025-2026 orange crop forecast for the São Paulo and West-Southwest Minas Gerais citrus belt, published on May 09, 2025, by Fundecitrus in cooperation with full professor at FCAV/Unesp1, is 314.60 million boxes of 40.8 kg (90 lbs) each. This production is divided as follows (figures in parentheses indicate the variation in production as compared to the previous crop):
- 49.48 million boxes of the Hamlin, Westin, and Rubi varieties (+ 31.49 %);
- 19.86 million boxes of the Valencia Americana, Seleta, Pineapple and Alvorada varieties (+ 27.31 %);
- 90.51 million boxes of the Pera variety (+ 21.16 %);
- 114.58 million boxes of the Valencia and Folha Murcha varieties (+ 50.78 %);
- 40.17 million boxes of the Natal variety (+ 49.05 %).
Approximately 26.93 million boxes are expected to be produced in the Triângulo Mineiro (+ 80.3 %).
Overall, the projected volume represents a significant increase of 36.27 % compared to the previous crop season, whose final number was 230.87 million boxes, bringing production back into the average range of the last ten years, …
Please download the complete forecast under: www.fundecitrus.com.br/pdf
1José Carlos Barbosa, (voluntary) Full Professor at FCAV/Unesp.
Total orange production1 for the 2024-2025 crop season ended at 230.87 million boxes
The 2024-2025 orange crop for the São Paulo and West-Southwest Minas Gerais citrus belt, published by Fundecitrus, carried out in cooperation with full professor from FCAV/Unesp2, concluded with 230.87 million boxes of 40.8 kg each (90 lbs), divided as follows:
- 7.63 million boxes of Hamlin, Westin e Rubi early-season varieties;
- 15.60 million boxes of Valência Americana, Seleta, Pineapple e Alvorada early-season varieties;
- 74.70 million boxes of Pera Rio mid-season variety;
- 75.99 million boxes of Valência e Valência Folha Murcha late-season varieties;
- 26.95 million boxes of Natal late-season variety.
Of the total, about 14.94 million boxes were produced in the Triângulo Mineiro region.
This season production was 0.65% below the initial estimate released in May 2024 (232.38 million boxes) and 24.85% below the previous crop season, which totaled 307.22 million boxes, a production level in line with the historical average. The 2024-2025 crop was confirmed as the second smallest in the last 37 years, considered atypical due to adverse weather conditions, marked by dry weather, high temperatures, the extremely late and expressive fourth bloom, along with the incidence of greening …
Please download the complete forecast here.
1Hamlin, Westin, Rubi, Valencia Americana, Seleta, Pineapple, Alvorada, Pera Rio, Valencia, Valencia Folha Murcha, and, Natal.
2Department of math and science, FCAV/Unesp Jaboticabal Campus.
Located on the Florida Polytechnic University campus, the IFF site is powered by advanced technology, expert knowledge and a holistic citrus ecosystem in the heart of Florida’s citrus belt.
IFF announced the opening of the Citrus Innovation Center in Lakeland, Florida, in partnership with Florida Polytechnic University. This 30,000 square foot facility encompasses state-of-the-art capabilities in botanical research leveraging its LMR by IFF natural ingredients expertise, processing, analytics, product creation for scent and taste, and includes a 360-degree digital immersion room. Designed with sustainability in mind, the center offers job opportunities in research, customer experience, supply and operations.
“Citrus is vital to our creations in scent and taste, with enormous potential for innovation across our businesses,” said Erik Fyrwald, IFF CEO. “The Citrus Innovation Center embodies our unwavering dedication to innovation, and our commitment to creating enduring external partnerships that help us to bring leading solutions to our customers while doing more good for people and planet.”
The Citrus Innovation Center will focus on applications in food and beverage, fine fragrance, body care, and fabric & home care. Equipped with cutting-edge technologies, IFF customers can anticipate rapid product development, explore innovative citrus applications, and conduct advanced product testing. The facility is designed to foster collaborative innovation partnerships, aligning with IFF’s culture and values. Additionally, the center boasts direct access to industry-leading experts, academia and on-site prototyping capabilities, enabling customised solutions. Supporting approximately 40 jobs, the facility offers room for expansion, with opportunities for job rotations, professional development, and training – paving the way for future growth and innovation.
“The grand opening of IFF’s Citrus Innovation Center on our campus marks a pivotal milestone for Florida Poly, launching a bold partnership that will drive pioneering research and create transformative opportunities for our students and faculty,” said Dr. Devin Stephenson, president of Florida Polytechnic University. “This powerful collaboration will accelerate discovery and technological advancement in the flavor and fragrance industry, while marking the beginning of a research park that will fuel innovation and economic growth.”
Attention to detail is central to the building’s design. Its unique architectural expression, combined with views of the campus and surrounding nature, complements the center’s goal of minimising its environmental footprint. Key sustainability features include LEED silver certification, a solar array system that meets the site’s entire power demand, the use of well and reclaimed water for irrigation, energy-saving processes, and a comprehensive recycling program in partnership with Recycling Services of Florida.
All Oranges 11.6 Million Boxes
The 2024-2025 Florida all orange forecast released by the USDA Agricultural Statistics Board is unchanged at 11.6 million boxes. If realised, this will be 36 percent less than last season’s revised production. The forecast consists of 4.60 million boxes of non-Valencia oranges (early, mid-season, and Navel varieties) and 7.00 million boxes of Valencia oranges. An 8-year regression was used for comparison purposes. All references to “average”, “minimum”, and “maximum” refer to the previous 10 seasons, excluding the 2017-2018 season, which was affected by Hurricane Irma, and the 2022-2023 season, which was affected by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. Average fruit per tree includes both regular bloom and the first late bloom …
Please download the complete forecast here.
Orange Juice
Global orange juice production for 2024/25 is forecast up 4 percent to 1.4 million tons (65 degrees brix) as higher production in Brazil and Mexico is expected to offset lower production in the United States. Consumption is down while exports are forecast up due to higher supplies.
Brazil production is forecast up 9 percent to 1.0 million tons as more oranges are available for processing. Exports are up with the higher supplies while stocks are forecast unchanged. Brazil is by far the largest producer and is projected to account for three-quarters of global orange juice exports.
Mexico production is projected to increase 4 percent to 187,000 tons on expected better fruit size and juice content. Consumption is down as more goes to exports which are also up due to the rise in available supplies. The United States is expected to remain the top export market.
U.S. production is forecast down 28 percent to a record low 80,000 tons due to a drop in oranges available for processing, especially in Florida. Yields continue to decline in Florida due to fruit drop caused by citrus greening and weather challenges such as hurricanes and freezes. Consumption is forecast unchanged while imports are up slightly with the lower production. Stocks are expected to be down with the drop in production.
South Africa production is forecast to increase 4 percent to 57,100 tons due to a rise in oranges available for processing. Consumption is forecast to be lower due to high prices while exports are forecast up with the higher production and global demand.
EU production is forecast down 7 percent to 50,000 tons as fruit for processing is down with the expectation that more oranges will be exported. Consumption is up with projected higher imports from Brazil and exports are forecast down with lower production. …
Please download the full report: https://apps.fas.usda.gov
The South African import and export logistics environment is constrained by the lack of use of rail transportation linking to road transportation, coupled to underperforming Transnet state-run container terminals. Equipment failure at the terminals has been widespread and it is very likely to persist for the time being. This dilemma is a major constraint for the exporting of citrus since 95% of exports are by way of containerization. Although significant investment has been made in cold storage capacity along the Eastern, Central and Western corridors set out to provide much needed capacity, the biggest constraint in the logistics chain lies in the challenge of delivering containers to the terminals in an acceptable timeframe. This report seeks to take a ‘snapshot look’ at the past season’s logistics and shipping and highlight some of the interesting events and also aims to hone in on some of the prevalent challenges …
Please download the full report: https://t1p.de/absct
The World Citrus Organisation (WCO) has released its annual Northern Hemisphere Citrus Forecast for the upcoming citrus season (2024-25). The Forecast was released on the occasion of the 2024-2025 Northern Hemisphere Citrus Forecast Outlook, organised on 15 November by WCO. The Forecast is based on data from Egypt, Greece, Israel, Italy, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, the United States, and, for the first time, Portugal. The Forecast shows that citrus production is estimated at 27.297.216 T, which represents an 8,73 % decrease compared to the previous season. The 2024/2025 Forecast is also 5,88 % lower than the average of the last four seasons.
WCO, the World Citrus Organisation, released on 15 November its annual Northern Hemisphere Citrus Forecast for the upcoming season (2024-25). The preliminary Forecast is based on data from industry associations from the Mediterranean region and the United States. Citrus production for 2024/2025 is estimated at 27.297.216 T, an 8,73 % decrease compared to the previous season. Total citrus exports are expected to follow a similar trend at 8.379.831 T, down by 8,94 % from last season and 9,78 % from the last four seasons’ average.
Philippe Binard, WCO Secretary General, summarised the outcome of the Forecast: “The market insights we received indicate a decrease from last year’s high volumes. This is mainly driven by Turkey returning to regular production levels after last season’s record figures as well as Egypt’s expected decrease.” He added: “Climatic issues, such as late frost, drought, heat waves, or new pests and diseases are constant threats to the quality, colouring, or harvest date for the production. The market will still be impacted by geopolitical instability while consumer demand is under pressure due to limitation of purchasing power and inflation.”
Looking at the country-specific figures for the largest producers in the EU, Spain’s citrus production at 6,18 MT is down by 3,30 % from the previous seasons, led by the 21,01 % decrease in lemons from last year’s record season. The dramatic weather events in Spain are not expected to have a significant impact on the overall supply, which overall remains as predicted. Italy is down by 12,32 % at 2,77 MT, with a 17,51 % decline in oranges, while Greece remains stable at 1,09 MT. In the other Mediterranean countries, Turkey is set to decrease its production by 17,57 % with 4,95 MT, after last season’s record figures. Egypt at 4,35 MT is down by 19,55 % from 2023/2024. Morocco’s production, on the other hand, is expected to grow to 2,14 MT (+11,97 %). Israel’s production is also estimated to recover to 0,56 MT (+18,50 %). Portugal, which contributed to the Forecast for the first time, estimates a 3,37 % decrease in the upcoming season (0,38 MT in total). The production in the United States is expected to shrink to 4,55 MT (-4,28 %), continuing to decrease compared to the average of the previous seasons (-11,52 %).
Philippe Binard added: “WCO is also setting some trends for the expected utilization of citrus for the upcoming season. The Northern Hemisphere citrus exports will decrease by 8,94 % compared to last season to 8,38 MT, while processing will decline to 5,16 MT (-4,15%), leaving 13,76 MT for domestic sales (-10,21 %.). Next April, the WCO will release the 2025 production and export forecast for the Southern Hemisphere.
Although it is the offseason period for the tahiti lime, quotations decreased in early November. The downward trend is related to both the size and the quality of the fruit, which are below expected by the sector. However, it is worth noting that price levels are still high.
According to data from Cepea, tahiti lime prices averaged BRL 95.59 per 27.2-kg box in mid-November, downing 16.17 % against late October.
It is worth noting that the price average for the tahiti lime was at BRL 117.94/box last month, 72.2 % more than in September and moving up 71 % against October last year, in nominal terms.
Season in Florida
The 2023/24 orange season finished in September in Florida. The Citrus Department of that state in the Unites States indicated in October that local juice stocks, as observed in Brazil, finished the season at low levels.
The limited orange supply has been frequent in the US, considering that the country has become majorly an orange juice importer since the advance of greening in Florida.
It is worth noting that Brazil is the major orange juice supplier for the US market. The fact that the Brazilian industry faced both low supply and high prices in the 2023/24 season (which limited exports) might have prevented a recovery of stocks in Florida.
HealthTech BioActives (HTBA), a science-based global leader in the manufacture of citrus flavonoids and active forms of vitamin B12, is pleased to announce Miura Partners as its new majority shareholder, a move aligned with the company’s ongoing growth strategy across its four business areas: Functional Health, Pharmaceutical Active Ingredients (APIs), Taste Modulation, and Animal Nutrition.
HTBA successfully pursued a major international expansion and modernization project over five years under its previous owner, The Riverside Company. Thanks to Miura’s commitment to innovative and sustainable development, HTBA begins its new chapter with an annual revenue of 80 million Euros, a figure up 66 % since 2019, and with a 200-strong international workforce, which has doubled in that same time frame. Headquartered in Barcelona, with a subsidiary in Cincinnati, Ohio, today HTBA also operates a research, development, and production center in Beniel (Murcia).
“The agreement of our new shareholder structure with Miura Partners is an important milestone for HTBA, reinforcing our position as a rising star in the health and nutrition industry,” comments Alexandre Valls-Coma, Chief Executive Officer of HTBA. “We remain fully focused on our mission of unlocking the power of nature through our proprietary processes and high-purity ingredients, with a genuine commitment to sustainability. Staying true to these principles has enabled us to enhance the health and well-being of both people and animals for over 40 years, and made us a global leader in the manufacturing and distribution of flavonoids and active forms of vitamin B12. Now, as we begin our partnership with Miura, we can’t wait to take our ambitious growth plans to the next level.”
About HTBA
HTBA is a science-based global leader in the manufacturing and commercialization of citrus flavonoids and active forms of vitamin B12 for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food and beverage, and animal nutrition sectors. For over forty years, the company has pioneered the development of new processes to create high-quality, naturally derived ingredients that support the health of people and animals, all while protecting the environment.
Headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, HTBA produces ingredients of unsurpassed quality at its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Murcia, Spain. Plus, with ideation centers located in Spain and at its North American operations center in Ohio, the company is well-positioned to understand and quickly respond to global end-user consumer demand.
Regular rains and mild weather were registered in late October in the citrus belt of São Paulo state and Triângulo Mineiro, the biggest orange producer for the juice industry. This scenario has helped to bring a relief for trees that were affected by the lack of rains and high temperatures.
2024/25 season
Even with the return of rainfall, the current orange crop has presented low quality. Still, rains in October may improve the quality of fruits that are still on the trees. It is worth noting that the orange crop has started in June this year and may finish between December and January/25. As for tahiti lime (the main season starts between November and December), weather conditions may favor the development, since fruits are currently below the standard.
Exports
The revenue obtained by Brazilian exporters with orange juice shipments in the partial of the 2024/25 crop (from July/24 to September/24) totaled USD 905.3 million, for an increase of 42.3 % compared to the same period of the last season (USD 636.1 million), according to Comex Stat.
The volume of orange juice exported by Brazil, in turn, continues decreasing, as it has been verified since the 2023/24 crop. From July to September/24, Brazil shipped 207.5 thousand tons of orange juice, downing 27 % in relation to the same period in 2023.
The lower volume exported is linked to the limited supply. Weather adversities have been hampering the production for five consecutive seasons, which resulted in restricted inventories of juice.
Döhler, a world-leading producer and provider of natural ingredients, ingredient systems and integrated solutions, has announced a joint venture with FGF Trapani, a renowned specialist in citrus farming and processing. This partnership aims to revolutionise the use of citrus fibres as natural texturisers in food and beverage applications. Thus, customers get access to premium, cost-effective and minimally processed citrus fibre solutions that address market trends for healthier and environmentally friendly ingredients.
Döhler’s extensive experience in natural ingredients and ingredient systems as well as their application in F&B, combined with FGF Trapani’s lifelong heritage and expertise in citrus farming and processing, provides innovative alternatives to traditional hydrocolloids that excel in gelling, thickening and stabilising applications. As key provider in the F&B industry, Döhler now expands its product range with an advanced portfolio of citrus fibres that is developed for high-performing product textures, enhancing both consumer appeal and product differentiation.
Focus on customer benefits and application expertise
Customers all over the world will benefit from this collaboration having direct access to high-quality and minimally processed citrus fibres. In response to the increasing demand for health-promoting ingredients, this collaboration provides natural fibres that support dietary goals, including fibre enrichment and reduced use of artificial additives. This empowers brands to develop products that cater to health-conscious consumers.
The joint venture’s citrus fibres offer versatile applications across various product categories, from beverages and dairy to bakery and sauces. This versatility allows manufacturers to innovate across their portfolios, creating new and exciting products with improved texture, mouthfeel and health promoting claims.
Strategic benefits of vertical integration and sustainability
FGF Trapani’s production facility, strategically located in one of the world’s largest lemon-growing regions, ensures a reliable supply of premium raw materials. By processing citrus fibres directly from fresh lemon peels, the joint venture guarantees access to a pectin-rich product that combines the benefits of both soluble and insoluble fibres. This vertical integration allows for maximum quality control and sustainability throughout the supply chain, supporting the production of highly functional ingredients that meet stringent industry standards.
With a focus on sustainable production practices, the partnership delivers environmentally friendly citrus fibres that align with consumer values. By utilising by-products of citrus processing, this initiative is contributing to a more sustainable food and beverage production.
Meeting consumer demand for healthier and organic ingredients
The joint venture between Döhler and FGF Trapani is timely, as consumers increasingly demand cleaner, minimally processed and organic-quality ingredients. Citrus fibres, derived from natural raw materials, are well-aligned with these market trends, offering a functional and sustainable ingredient that meets the needs of health-conscious consumers.
One of the world’s top agribusinesses, which handles approximately 10 % of global agricultural trade, along with a leading global citrus producer, is set to implement drip irrigation across 2,400 hectares of orchards in São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The partnerships were signed with multinational Rivulis, one of the market leaders with the broadest and most complete portfolio of localised irrigation solutions on the market, with over 30 years of experience in Brazil and almost 100 years worldwide.
Drip irrigation is a method of localised irrigation that saves water and nutrients. This technique is based on applying water and nutrients at a low flow rate and high frequency. Water droplets are applied at short intervals, allowing application closer to the root in an efficient manner and avoiding wetting other parts of the plant.
Drip irrigation is particularly beneficial for citrus trees, which are highly sensitive to water stress. Accurate application of water at all stages of crop development, especially during the critical fruiting period, can significantly improve fruit size, quality, and uniformity, leading to higher yields and sustainability of farming practices.
According to Eran Ossmy, president of Rivulis’ Micro Irrigation Division, this strategic move by major citrus players is proof of the companies’ commitment to sustainability and the efficiency of their processes, such as optimising resources and water together with increasing productivity. “We are strongly positioned to support these challenges, as we offer comprehensive micro irrigation services, including design, installation, and support in the field. These systems are recognised for their efficiency in the use of resources and ability to distribute nutrients through fertigation,” he said.
Challenges and opportunities
The citrus industry, which is crucial to the national economy, generating around USD 2 billion annually and supporting around 200,000 jobs in the state of São Paulo alone, is expected to see a drop in production this year. Brazil is projected to record a 24 % reduction in its citrus harvest compared to the previous season.
Among the factors behind this downturn is an old enemy of the sector, the Asian citrus greening. Also known as Huanglongbing (HLB), the disease is a bacterial infection that seriously affects plants, becoming one of the two most serious problems worldwide due to its rapid spread and destructive impact on fruit.
Another challenge facing the sector is climate instability, with severe droughts and irregular rainfall throughout the harvest. “The use of advanced irrigation solutions helps to reduce these impacts, generating more security in production. That’s why the big companies in the sector are adopting this technology to help the country remain at the forefront of world production,” concludes Ossmy.
High temperatures in São Paulo state in early October reinforced producers’ concerns, since this scenario can affect both fruits that are on the trees (from the current season, 2023/24) and the production of the next crop (2024/25), especially non-irrigated areas. Therefore, in mid-October, citrus growers were waiting for the rainfall in major producing regions.
So far, the biggest challenge for the current season (2023/24) has been the fact that fruits have wilted, which affects directly the quality, according to players surveyed by Cepea. In normal conditions, this quality loss would press quotations down; however, due to the limited supply this season, prices remain firm.
As for the 2024/25 crop, scenarios are distinct between irrigated and non-irrigated areas. In irrigated regions in São Paulo state, the fruit development is more advanced, but producers were still concerned with high temperatures.
On the other hand, most trees in non-irrigated areas have not blossomed yet. Thus, the return of rains is essential to mitigate the lack of soil humidity and encourage the blossoming.
All oranges 15.0 million boxes
The 2024-2025 Florida all orange forecast released by the USDA Agricultural Statistics Board is 15.0 million boxes, down 16 percent from last season’s final production. The total includes 6.00 million boxes of non-Valencia oranges (early, mid-season, and Navel varieties) and 9.00 million boxes of Valencia oranges. The Navel orange forecast, at 190,000 boxes, accounts for 3 percent of the non-Valencia total.
The estimated number of bearing trees for all oranges is 30.3 million. Trees planted in 2021 and earlier are considered bearing for this season. Field work for the latest Commercial Citrus Inventory was completed in June 2024. Attrition rates were applied to the results to determine the number of bearing trees used to weigh and expand objective count data in the forecast model.
An 8-year regression was used for comparison purposes. All references to “average”, “minimum”, and “maximum” refer to the previous 10 seasons, excluding the 2017-2018 season, which was affected by Hurricane Irma, and the 2022-2023 season, which was affected by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. Average fruit per tree includes both regular bloom and the first late bloom …
Please download the full citrus crop production forecast: www.nass.usda.gov
Citrus flavours are beloved for their refreshing zest, versatility, and ability to invigorate the senses. Consumers are drawn to them not only for their familiar taste but also for their perceived health benefits, with rising demand for natural citrus flavours driven by the clean-label trend.
Orange continues to be one of the most widely consumed citrus flavours in the world, yet despite its popularity, the global orange oil market is facing significant supply challenges due to factors such as crop shortages, poor fruit quality, and climate-related disruptions.
As demand for natural products continues to grow, driven by widespread use in food and beverages, cosmetics, and cleaning products, orange oil prices are expected to increase over the next 3-5 years.
In response these challenges, Flavorchem, a global flavour and ingredient supplier, developed taste mod™ orange, an innovative line of orange oil replacers, offering the zesty taste of citrus at a more affordable price.
“Our sweet orange oil replacers have been applied in easy-to-use flavour forms specifically designed for beverages,” says Niki Hernandez, Senior Manager Flavour Development. “Available in extract, emulsion, and spray dry forms, it comes in both TYPE and WONF versions and meets specific regulatory requirements.”
Flavorchem’s expertly crafted sweet orange oil replacers offer the bright, refreshing flavours your products require, while ensuring consistency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability that today’s market demands. Taste mod™ orange delivers an authentic, true-to-fruit Valencia Orange flavour, labeled as “natural flavour” and ideal for clean-label products. Perfect for a wide range of beverage applications, it provides a reliable, high-quality alternative to traditional orange oils.
Results of the annual Commercial Citrus Inventory show total citrus acreage is 274,705 acres, down 17 percent from the last annual survey. The net loss of 57,551 acres is 14,505 acres more than what was lost the previous season. New plantings at 4,751 acres are down from the previous season.
All 23 published counties included in the table on page 3 showed decreases in acreage. Hendry County lost the most acreage, down 12,374 acres from the previous season. Polk County leads in citrus acreage with 58,516 acres, followed by Desoto County at 51,800 acres.
Orange acreage is now at 248,028 acres, down 18 percent from the previous season. Valencia acreage now accounts for 63 percent of the total orange acreage, non-Valencia acreage represents 35 percent, and the remaining orange acreage is unidentified …
Please download the full citrus crop production forecast: www.nass.usda.gov
Total orange production1 is updated at 215.78 million boxes
The first update of the 2024-2025 orange crop forecast for the São Paulo and West-Southwest Minas Gerais citrus belt, published by Fundecitrus, carried out in cooperation with Markestrat and full professors from FEA-RP/USP and FCAV/Unesp2, is 215.78 million boxes of 40.8 kg. Of the total, 200.46 million boxes come from the first three blooms, while 15.32 million boxes belong to the fourth bloom. Compared to the initial estimate in May, the projection shows a reduction of 16.60 million boxes, which corresponds to a 7.1 % decrease. Analyzing by maturity group, the early-season varieties decrease by approximately 3 %, the mid-season (Pera) by 11 %, and the late-season varieties by 7 %. Compared to the previous crop (307.22 million boxes), the current projection represents a 29.8 % drop, with early-season varieties down by roughly 33 %, mid-season (Pera) by 35 %, and late-season varieties by 24 %. It is also estimated that approximately 14.34 million boxes will be harvested in the Triângulo Mineiro region. …
Please download the complete forecast under: www.fundecitrus.com.br/pdf
1Hamlin, Westin, Rubi, Valencia Americana, Seleta, Pineapple, Alvorada, Pera Rio, Valencia, Valencia Folha Murcha and Natal.
2Department of Exact Sciences, FCAV/Unesp Jaboticabal Campus.
All Citrus Value Up 6 Percent, Production Up 12 Percent
The USD 221 million preliminary on-tree value of the 2023-2024 citrus crop is 6 percent more than the USD 208 million revised value for 2022-2023.
Florida’s all citrus production in 2023-2024 is 20.2 million boxes, up 12 percent from the previous season’s 18.1 million boxes. All orange production increased by 14 percent to 18.0 million boxes. Non-Valencia production at 6.76 million boxes is up 10 percent from the 2022-2023 season. Valencia orange production at 11.2 million boxes is up 16 percent. All grapefruit production decreased 1 percent to 1.79 million boxes. Tangerine and tangelo production in 2023-2024 is down 6 percent from the previous season …
Please download the full citrus crop production forecast: www.nass.usda.gov
Recent wildfires in several areas in São Paulo state concerned players. According to data gathered by Cepea, wildfires hit some citrus areas, especially the central-north of the state; however, this scenario may not bring significant impacts on the volume of fruits available in the market.
According to players surveyed by Cepea, the areas hit by wildfires are small and the landowners were able to control them rapidly. The rainfall in some areas also helped to control the problem. Damages were more significant for other crops, especially sugarcane.
Market
Prices for the pear orange have been at historical levels this year both in the in natura market and in the industrial segment. The limited supply of the current season and the firm demand from the industry explain this scenario. The price average was at BRL 100.00 per 40.8-kilo box, on tree, at the end of August.
However, the cold wave in São Paulo state in late August led consumers to be away from trades in the orange market. This scenario was reinforced by the end-of-the month period. On the other hand, the limited supply and high prices of industrial contracts continued to sustain quotations in the in natura market.
Oranges
Global orange production for 2023/24 is estimated to rise 1 percent to 47.4 million tons as lower production in Brazil and the European Union is more than offset by larger crops in Egypt, the United States, and Turkey. Consumption and fruit for processing are both up with production while exports are flat.
U.S. production is estimated to rise 8 percent to 2.5 million tons on higher yields due to favorable weather. Consumption, imports, and exports are flat, while oranges for processing are up with the increase in supplies.
Brazil production is estimated down slightly to 15.3 million. Lower yields are expected, primarily due to poor weather conditions that contributed to drought, as well as some impacts from greening. Consumption and fruit for processing are estimated down with the reduced supplies …
Please download the full report: www.nass.usda.gov
After weeks of dry weather, rains were registered in many citrus areas in São Paulo state in mid-July. Although the volume of rainfall was not homogeneous among regions (rains were registered especially in the south and in the southwest of São Paulo state), it brought a certain relief for citrus growers, who were concerned with the dry weather that had already been affecting the trees.
The rainfall was more significant in the southwest of SP state; thus, flowers may start blossoming. In areas where rains were less abundant (or they were not registered), more humidity is necessary for the flowers to blossom.
As for the tahiti lime, the recent rainfall is not likely to increase the supply in this moment, but it may favor the harvest and the quality in the coming weeks.
Juice exports decrease in the 2023/24 season
Brazilian shipments of orange juice dropped in the 2023/24 season (from July 2023 to June 2024), after increasing in the previous crop. Brazil exported 1 million tons, downing 8.1 % compared to the season before (data from Comex Stat). The revenue totaled USD 2.7 billion, for an increase of 25 % in the same comparison. The export decrease is mainly related to the low volume of juice in stocks in Brazil.
Processing activities
The orange processing continues to move at a fast pace in São Paulo state. Some players from the industry surveyed by Cepea say that the crushing is more advanced this season, and that the processing activities of early varieties are likely to reduce this month. Last year, the processing finished only in the second fortnight of September; however, in 2024/25, activities are expected to end in July or in August.
The 2023-2024 Florida all orange forecast released by the USDA Agricultural Statistics Board is 18.0 million boxes. The total is comprised of 6.76 million boxes of non-Valencia oranges (early, mid-season, and Navel varieties), unchanged from the June forecast, and 11.2 million boxes of Valencia oranges, up 100,000 boxes from the June forecast. The forecast of all Florida grapefruit production remains at 1.79 million boxes. Of the total grapefruit forecast, 240,000 boxes are white, and 1.55 million boxes are the red varieties. The Florida all tangerine and tangelo forecast is unchanged at 450,000 boxes …
Please download the full citrus crop production forecast: www.nass.usda.gov
Record orange juice prices are expected to escalate orange juice production as growers increase deliveries for processing. Growers are diverting oranges from the export market and local sales towards processing on favorable prices. Good rainfall in the Spring of 2023 ensured sufficient rain for irrigation across all citrus producing regions. Production of all citrus types is expected to improve in both volumes and quality in MY 2023/24. However, the Northern production regions experienced some dry conditions during the growth period which led to smaller sized fruit, reducing the percentage of fruit that meets export specifications. Orange, grapefruit, and lemon exports for MY 2023/24 are revised downwards on smaller fruit size and diversion to local processing …
Please download the full citrus crop production forecast: www.nass.usda.gov
For marketing year (MY) 2023/24, Post updates fresh lemon production down to 1,700 metric tons (MT). This revision is attributed to the unexpected weather conditions with temperatures higher than usual and rains during harvest that affected original production estimates. Post also updates MY 2022/23 production to 1,850 MT, attributed to severe drought conditions than initially expected. For MY 2023/24, fresh orange production is estimated to drop to 653,000 MT. Similarly, fresh tangerine production is expected to decrease to 280,000 MT. Due to the increase in production, lemon exports are expected to rise to 220,000 MT. Sweet citrus exports are also expected to rise from the last official estimates, with fresh orange exports forecast at 35,000 MT and tangerine exports forecast at 24,000 MT …
Please download the full citrus crop production forecast: www.nass.usda.gov
In MY 2023/24, the drop registered in EU orange and mandarin production was not compensated by the larger lemon and grapefruit output. EU citrus production is concentrated in the Mediterranean region. Spain and Italy represent the leading EU citrus producers, followed by Greece, Portugal, and Cyprus.
The EU is a net importer of citrus fruits, with imports largely exceeding exports. A large amount of trade takes place internally, from producing to non-producing EU Member States. With trade through Asian routes becoming increasingly challenging, EU neighboring citrus producers in the Mediterranean Basin (such as Egypt or Turkey) are concentrating their export efforts in the EU. This has been particularly true during the first half of the marketing year, coinciding with the Northern Hemisphere citrus producing season and resulting in increasing competition in the region. EU citrus exports in MY 2023/24, largely concentrated in non-EU Member European countries, are projected to decline only marginally …
Please download the full citrus crop production forecast: www.nass.usda.gov
All Oranges 17.9 Million Boxes
The 2023-2024 Florida all orange forecast released by the USDA Agricultural Statistics Board is 17.9 million boxes. The total includes 6.76 million boxes of non-Valencia oranges (early, mid-season, and Navel varieties) and 11.1 million boxes of Valencia oranges …
Please download the full citrus crop production forecast: www.nass.usda.gov
The Brazilian orange crop for Marketing Year (MY) 2023/24 is forecast at 378 million 90-pound boxes (MBx) – standard reference, equivalent to 15.42 million metric tons (MMT), a decrease of 7.3 percent compared to previous Post estimate (408 million boxes or 16.5 MMT), primarily due to poor weather conditions that culminated in a more severe drought, as well as impacts from greening. Meanwhile, Post revised the orange weight forecast to 165 grams/5.82 ounces in MY 2023/24, 4.2 percent heavier than Post previous estimate of 158 grams due to the lower production and consequent more room for the fruits to grow. Post revised the total forecast related to the Brazilian FCOJ 65 Brix equivalent production for MY 2023/24 at 1.06 MMT, a decrease of 8.62 percent vis-à-vis the Post estimate for MY 2022/23 (1.16 MMT), due to downward expected availability of fruit for processing provoked by drought, extremely high temperatures and increase of greening incidence …
Please download the full citrus crop production forecast: www.nass.usda.gov
After two months of price drops, orange values are expected to increase again in the in natura market in June. Processing activities are likely to be intensified, since more companies have started to operate, limiting the supply of fruits in the in natura market. Players say that, although the demand is usually lower in this period, since the weather is colder, the supply in the in natura market is expected to be smaller than the demand.
Orange prices already increased in the second fortnight of May, after the release of estimates of a lower output by Fundecitrus. Thus, many producers stopped harvesting fruits for the in natura market, preferring to meet the demand from the industry.
In May, the average for the pear orange was BRL 80.22 per 40.8-kilo box, on tree, downing 11.21 % in relation to April/24.
Although prices dropped from April to May, they are still at high levels. In addition to the forecast of a small crop, low stocks of orange juice have been boosting the industrial demand for fruits.
Tahiti lime
The supply is expected to continue limited in June, due to the below-average volume of rainfall. Colder temperatures have concerned producers, since this scenario may result in characteristics that purchasers disapprove, especially in the international market. In May, the price average was at BRL 32.62 per 27-kilo box, harvested, 18.96% up compared to April.
Ponkan tangerine
Prices may move up in June, especially from the second fortnight on, when the supply in São Paulo tends to decrease. Moreover, the fruit can be a good alternative for orange and other fruits, which are presenting higher quotations. On the other hand, the demand is likely to decrease due to the cold weather, limiting more significant price rises.
The dry and warm weather in São Paulo concerned citrus growers in early May. They say that fruits were falling from the trees, a scenario that is reinforced in areas with high incidence of HLB (Huanglongbing, or greening).
Growers collected fruits that fell, allocating them to crushing activities, although this process is more expensive than the regular harvest. Still, as prices at factories are high, this fact ends up being advantageous for both citrus growers and the industry, which needs to absorb as more fruits as possible. It is worth noting that higher temperatures and below-average rains since the middle of the second semester last year may result in a lower volume to harvest in 2024/25.
The heat wave and the lack of rains also affect the quality of oranges, reducing its attractiveness in the market.
As for the tahiti lime, the dry weather started to affect the development and the quality of the peel. Some producers were concerned and started harvesting, aiming to collect fruits that are prematurely falling to send them immediately to the industry.
Strong customer demand & market potential are key drivers behind new production line
CP Kelco, a global leader of nature-based ingredient solutions, has completed a USD 60 million expansion in production capacity for its citrus fiber product line, based on strong customer demand and market potential. With this significant expansion, the company has ample capacity to support current and future customers’ citrus fiber supply needs.
The production line expansion for NUTRAVA® and KELCOSENS™ Citrus Fiber in the company’s facility in Matão, Brazil, increases the total capacity to approximately 5000 MT, establishing CP Kelco as a leading citrus fiber supplier to food, beverage and consumer product manufacturers worldwide. This expansion provides options to incrementally expand capacity even further in the future based on customer needs.
Launched in 2019, CP Kelco’s citrus fiber products are highly versatile and unique ingredients upcycled from citrus peels, a byproduct of the juicing industry. With the continued growth in consumer demand for clean-label, sustainable products, citrus fiber addresses the need for nature-based and easily recognisable ingredients in a variety of food, beverage and personal care products.
NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber supports dietary fiber intake and offers unique water-binding, texturising and stabilisation capabilities in a wide range of food and beverage applications, from condiments, dressings and soups to bakery goods, dairy and plant-based products. In personal care products, KELCOSENS™ Citrus Fiber serves as a gentle emulsifier alternative, providing stabilisation and a light skin feel to help product developers create SENSational textures, from serums to gels and luxe creams.
Total orange production for the 2023-2024 crop season ended at 307.22 million boxes1
The 2023-2024 orange crop for the São Paulo and West-Southwest Minas Gerais citrus belt, published by Fundecitrus – performed in cooperation with Markestrat and full professors from FEA- RP/USP and FCAV/Unesp2 – concluded with 307.22 million boxes of 40.8 kg each (90 lbs), divided as follows:
- 58.09 million boxes of the Hamlin, Westin and Rubi early-season varieties;
- 18.51 million boxes of the Valencia Americana, Seleta, Pineapple and Alvorada early-season varieties;
- 97.62 million boxes of the Pera Rio mid-season variety;
- 105.20 million boxes of the Valencia and Valencia Folha Murcha late-season varieties;
- 27.80 million boxes of the Natal late-season variety.
Of the total, about 27.82 million boxes were produced in the Triângulo Mineiro region.
The season´s production was 2.22% lower in comparison to the previous crop, which reached 314.21 million boxes and was 0.69% below the initial forecast made in May 2023 …
Please download the complete forecast under: www.fundecitrus.com.br/pdf
1Hamlin, Westin, Rubi, Valencia Americana, Seleta, Pineapple, Alvorada, Pera Rio, Valencia, Valencia Folha Murcha, and, Natal.
2Department of math and science, FCAV/Unesp Jaboticabal Campus.
