New estimate for oranges in Brazil reflects the atypical nature of the season

Fundecitrus released the first re-estimate of the 2024-2025 orange crop in the citrus belt of São Paulo and Triângulo/Sudoeste Mineiro, which would reach 215.78 million boxes of 40.8 kg, reflecting a decrease of 16.6 million boxes or 7% less than estimated in May. The reduction is reportedly due to the smaller size of the fruits, due to the hot and dry weather. The meteorological conditions expected in May for the first four months of the harvest were even worse, with rainfall 31% lower than expected. In addition, high temperatures during the fall and winter intensified evapotranspiration, worsening the severity of the drought. Higher temperatures also accelerated fruit ripening, leading to a faster harvest rate. By mid-August, around 45% of the crop had already been harvested, while in the same period the historical average was around 30%, Fundecitrus detailed. According to the entity's general manager, Juliano Ayres, this season can be considered atypical and he pointed out that ...