The yield from Brazilian orange cultivation for 2019/20 is estimated at 382.8 million boxes at 40.8 kg or 15.6 million tonnes. This is a decrease of 19% compared to the previous season. The decline is due to the alternating year in the Sao Paulo citrus belt and to weather conditions. Cumulative exports of orange juice to the United States (July 2019 - May 2020) decreased by 16% compared to the same period in the previous season due to the recovery of Florida orange growing and high U.S. inventory.
The harvest season started in early May in the Sao Paulo citrus belt and should be fully operational by June when all processing plants are back up and running. The Brazilian Horticultural Confederation (CNA), which represents growers at the federal level, has warned the Brazilian government of potential labour and transportation hurdles caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.