In W35 in the orange landscape, Brazil's citrus industry faces a 56% increase in citrus greening disease, affecting the orange growing areas of São Paulo and Minas Gerais. The incidence of pests in the entire citrus belt rose to 38%, a significant increase compared to the 24.4% incidence in 2022. The primary reasons for rising citrus greening incidences in Brazil are inadequately-controlled psyllid infestations in commercial orchards and insects transmitting the citrus greening bacterial pathogen. This lack of effective control measures has contributed to the spread of the disease in citrus orchards. The estimated orange harvest for the 2023/24 season in Brazil's citrus belt is estimated to fall to 309.34 million cartons, 1.55% below the previous season's yield.
Florida's citrus production in the 2022/23 season has experienced a significant decline by 60% year-over-year (YoY), with 18.1 million boxes produced. This decline was even more evident in the orange category, with all orange production falling by 62% YoY to 15.8 million boxes. Non-Valencia orange production was particularly affected, decreasing by 66% YoY to 6.15 million boxes. Valencia orange production stood at 9.65 million boxes, representing a 58% YoY decrease.
In Jul-23, Peruvian fresh orange exports reached 3.8 thousand tons for USD 2 million, 187% more volume and almost triple in value compared to 2022. The average price of Peruvian oranges in the international market was USD 0.51 per kilogram, an increase of 7% YoY. Additionally, Peruvian orange exports to the Dutch market increased by 183% YoY in volume and four times in value compared to last year, with a 49% YoY increase in price per kilogram. In the Netherlands market, the Peruvian oranges' price rose to USD 0.51/kg, thus reflecting an increase of 49%. On the other hand, Peruvian orange shipments to the United Kingdom (UK) increased by 57% YoY and volume by 33% YoY, reaching 751 tons for USD 286 thousand. The Dominican Republic received 373 tons of fresh Peruvian oranges for USD 250 thousand, a 174% YoY increase. The average cost dropped by 2%, but the oranges received one of the best prices in the world at USD 0.67/kg.
Lastly, the Algarve, Portugal's southernmost region responsible for 90% of the country's orange production, has experienced severe drought that has made orange production extremely challenging. In 2023, the orange trees are smaller, lesser in number, and producing less juicy fruit. The severe drought has led to water supply cuts for irrigation and stricter regulations on borehole usage. Consequently, there has been a significant shortage of oranges in the Algarve since the end of Jul-23. Orange imports have also decreased due to declining orange production in Africa and phytosanitary restrictions imposed by the European Union (EU). As a result, suppliers have had to triple the prices of fresh orange juice.
