The supply of oranges has been low in Brazil since early 2023. In April, Pera sweet oranges available in the market were the ones that ripen out of the usual period. However, the ones that were harvested earlier are not well accepted by consumers in the table market, since they did not reach the ideal maturation stage.
Despite a low supply, Pera sweet orange prices weakened, due to the arrival of early varieties, such as hamlin, westin and rubi, to the market. Last month, the average price for these oranges closed at BRL 46.87 per 40.8-kg box (on tree), 3.08% lower than that from March but still 11.56% higher than that in April last year, in nominal terms.
As the availability of Pera sweet oranges is low, many farmers – majorly in northern SP – tried to anticipate the harvesting of early varieties, aiming to take advantage of the current firm prices and make cash flow during the inter-harvest.
The prices for ponkan tangerine dropped last month too. While in March, supply was low, in April, the harvesting stepped up. Still, availability was not that high. The average price for ponkan tangerine closed at BRL 64.07 per 27-kg box (on tree) in April, 8.56% lower than that in March but 40.6% up from that in April/22, in nominal terms.
Tahiti lime
Opposite to the scenarios observed in the markets of oranges and ponkan tangerine, for tahiti lime, prices are on the rise, boosted by low supply – as the peak of harvest took place in the first bimester of 2023, supply is lower now.
[ BRL 1 = €0.18 ]
Source: cepea.esalq.usp.br