A study by researchers Gilberto Tozatti, Mauricio Mendez and Rodolfo Castro indicated the likely future significant reduction in Brazilian citrus acreage and production due to huanglongbing (HLB or greening). The calculations are based solely on the current Brazilian Citrus Belt and do not consider future citrus projects happening in areas outside of it.
Tozatti presented the study at the recent International Research Conference on HLB in California. Brazil is the world's largest orange juice producer, with the citrus sector playing an important role in the Brazilian economy by generating employment and moving over $6.5 billion annually. The industry faces a growing threat from HLB. This disease has been causing significant damage, reducing production and leading to the eradication of orchards.
Estimating the future of orange production and the extent of citrus cultivation in the next decade is important for investor decision-making, but studies in this regard are lacking. A forecasting model was proposed, taking into account the regional prevalence of greening disease and citrus growers' investment expectations.
Read the full article at citrusindustry.net.