The first 90 days of the 2025/26 season confirm a scenario of adjustments in the exporting market of orange juice and citrus byproducts in Brazil. In spite of the tax exemption on the Brazilian orange juice in the United States, the performance of exports from July to September 2025 was below that verified in the same period last season.

According to data from Comex Stat, the total volume of juice exported in the partial of the 2025/26 crop to all destinations totaled 199.7 thousand tons (volume equivalent to concentrate juice – 66º Brix), for a decrease of 4 % compared to the same period in the year before, while the revenue dropped 15 %, to USD 751.3 million. The income decrease is attributed to low international prices because of high global supply.

For the first time in several years, shipments to the United States and to the European Union were equal, with roughly 48 % of participation each (in volume). The 13 % increase of sales to the US highlights the dependence of the country on the Brazilian juice. Exports to the European Union, in turn, dropped 8 %, influenced by the demand decrease after high prices and quality problems verified in the crop before. The result was a balance between these two important destinations.

Besides the international scenario, the low volume of domestic inventories in this beginning of the season, along with the small supply of the fruit, also influenced the decrease of shipments.

From this month on, with the intensification of the harvesting in Brazil and the increase of processing activities at the industry, shipments are likely to move up, specially to the European Union, which may replenish inventories.

The volume of oranges of the 2025/26 season sent to industrial crushing activities started to be intensified in late August. As for new contracts of fruits to the industry, the pace has increased, but it still limited, since both purchasers and sellers are expecting a better definition of market conditions.

It is worth noting that the production of the 2025/26 crop is late, due to the second blossoming. Thus, the availability of fruits may be higher in September/October. Moreover, prices paid in 2024 were high, leading many producers to make cash flow and, now, they can wait for better trading opportunities.

As for the industry, inventories built at the beginning of the season have still not reached a satisfactory standard, due to high limonin and low ratio of some batches. These characteristics have limited the attractiveness of the Brazilian orange juice for purchasers from abroad, who still look for high-quality product. As a result, the industry has boosted the demand for high-quality fruits.

In natura market

The warm weather in the Southeastern region in Brazil boosted the demand in the in natura market. Expectations are that, due to the proximity of the end of the winter in Brazil and higher temperatures, the demand may remain firm.