Citrus: Higher humidity favors crop, but winds and hailstones are a concern

Rains in this second half of November have once again increased humidity in important producing regions of the citrus belt of São Paulo and the Triângulo Mineiro. Researchers from CEPEA highlight, however, that in many municipalities, the precipitations came accompanied by strong winds and hail, resulting, in some cases, in leaf swelling of the plants and in the falling of fruits and flowers. It is worth remembering that this context is being recorded precisely at a time of harvest for the 2025/26 crop and the development of the 2026/27 season. According to CEPEA researchers, in addition to harming the trees, these weather conditions can leave the plants more vulnerable to diseases. The São Paulo municipalities of Avaré, Pratânia, and São Manuel were hit by hail and, just a few weeks ago, had already faced extreme rains with strong winds. The Northwest of the State of São Paulo was also affected by the intense weather. Many CEPEA collaborating agents indicate that the frequency of ...