Opinion

Citrus Greening Spreads Through Brazil’s Citrus Belt, Threatening Global Orange Supplies

Orange Juice
Fresh Orange
Brazil
United States
Published Nov 29, 2022
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Huanglongbing (HLB), commonly known as citrus greening, is Brazil's most destructive disease and is now the biggest threat to the global citrus industry. Over the past two years, the disease has swept across São Paulo, the country's citrus belt, with a growth of 9.16%. Most regions in the country have a climate that augurs well for HLB infection and spread. In addition, the high density of orchards in most parts of Brazil makes it challenging to coordinate joint actions for regional disease management. The effect of the disease on crops is apparent in the US, Brazil's largest fresh orange and orange juice market. HLB has devastated the citrus crop in Florida since it first appeared in 1998. Global shortages could soon materialize as demand for citrus products continues to rise while major producers face supply shortages.

Huanglongbing (HLB), commonly known as citrus greening, is Brazil's most destructive disease and is now the biggest threat to the global citrus industry. Over the past two years, the disease has swept across São Paulo, the country's citrus belt, with a growth of 9.16%. According to Fundecitrus, Brazil’s citriculture defence agency, the average incidence of citrus greening rose from 22.37% in 2021 to 24.42% in 2022. During the same period, in the highly affected regions of Brotas, Limeira, and Porto Ferreira, the incidence levels of HLB increased to 49.41%, 70.72%, and 74.05%, respectively.

Most regions in the country have a climate that augurs well for HLB infection and spread. In addition, the high density of orchards in most parts of Brazil makes it challenging to coordinate joint actions for regional disease management. Most importantly, in most orchards, diseased trees are not uprooted, and control of HLB-spreading psyllids has been inadequate. Inefficient spraying has also contributed to the increase in citrus greening

Brazil's 2022/23 orange production in Triângulo Mineiro and São Paulo is forecast to amount to 314.09 million boxes, 19.4% up compared to the previous year. Despite the production increase, HLB continues to spread across Brazilian farms, and significant production losses are expected in the next three years. Ending stocks could drop to 140K tons this year, significantly below the strategic level of 250K due to increasing demand from the US, where citrus greening has devastated orange production.

The effect of the disease on crops is apparent in the US, Brazil's largest fresh orange and orange juice market. HLB has devastated the citrus crop in Florida since it first appeared in 1998. Over the past 15 years, citrus greening has caused a statewide decline of 80% in the region's citrus groves, and the current percentage of infected acres of citrus production has gone up to 90%. The impact of the disease and adverse weather conditions have left the sunshine state's orange crop at 28 million boxes, 32% lower than last year and the lowest crop in over 75 years. This scenario paints a picture of the possible impact of HLB if proper steps are not taken to curb the spread of the disease.

HLB has also spread to other global producers such as China and South Africa. The European Union Commision is also looking into taking preventive measures following reports of the disease in the region's leading citrus producers, Spain, Israel, and Portugal. Global shortages could soon materialize as demand for citrus products continues to rise while major producers face supply shortages.

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