The higher 2019/20 season production estimates for the Brazilian citrus belt (São Paulo and the Triângulo Mineiro) were confirmed by Fundecitrus (Citrus Defense Fund) in a report released on Dec. 10.
Although the estimates were 0.8% lower than that reported in September, the data indicates that the current crop should be 34.7% larger than the previous, totaling 385.31 million 40.8-kilo boxes of oranges.
Fundecitrus reported that the new estimates were based on less rain fall in the citrus belt in 2019 (May - November). With less rain fall and high production, the size of the oranges produced in the citrus belt is shrinking – from 260 fruits per box, estimated by Fundecitrus in May, to 262 in December, 0.77% down.
As regards the drop rate, new estimates increased from 17.60% to 17.63%, on average, considering all citrus varieties. If the drop rate remains at this level until the end of the crop, it will be the highest in all times, based on data from Fundecitrus.
Source: cepea.esalq.usp.br
