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Rains have hit some citrus regions in São Paulo State since late August, and humidity in the post-blooming time has concerned growers. Even when it does not rain, night and morning dew keeps plants humid. This may result in blossom end rot (“estrelinha”), a fungal disease that affects flowers and may affect the crop output.
Some Cepea collaborators reported the occurrence of that fungal disease in areas of Aguaí, Limeira and Pirassununga. In general, however, most citrus groves in São Paulo State had not shown the disease until the end of the first fortnight of the month, which may be linked to the more effective preventive control in those regions.
Even citrus growers who did not report the disease in their groves were very attentive and careful in the field, taking care to strengthen the plants and spraying groves constantly to avoid damages to the 2017/18 crop. Another challenge, according to citrus growers, was to manage the weather oscillations in that period, since excessive heat or cold could also jeopardize production. Besides, groves displayed different stages (with apparent flowers and fruitlets), which demanded specific treatment.
The Brazilian Association of Citrus Exporters (CitrusBR) estimated the 2017/18 season will start with inventories practically empty. Thus, the available volume for processing will be decisive to offset, at least, part of the inventories, ensuring the supply to Brazilian juice purchasers.
BRAZILIAN PRODUCTION – The 1.3% increase in the Citrus Defense Fund (Fundecitrus) estimates in early September compared to data from May regarding orange production in the citrus belt is not enough to improve the low supply scenario in 2016/17. According to Fundecitrus, the citrus belt (São Paulo and Triângulo Mineiro) may harvest 249.04 million boxes of 40.8 kilos, still 17.2% lower than last season’s.
Source: Hortifruti/Cepea
