Greening disease, transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid, has infected nearly 48 per cent of Brazil's citrus belt, according to new data from Fundecitrus. The research group reported that infections have risen for an eighth consecutive year, reducing orange production in the world's largest orange and orange juice producer.
For the 2024/2025 season, Brazil's orange output is estimated at 230.9 million 40.8-kilogram boxes, the smallest in several years. While orange groves were expected to recover, Fundecitrus said the spread of greening continues to affect yields.
In May, Fundecitrus forecast 2025/2026 orange production at 314.6 million boxes, but this was cut by 2.5 per cent to 306.74 million boxes.
The disease causes fruits to remain green, misshapen, and bitter, making them unsuitable for fresh consumption or juice processing. According to CropLife Latin America, greening has resulted in annual losses of about US$120 million in Brazil. The group also reports that the disease has killed more than 50 million trees in Asia and 10 million in Africa over the past seven years.
Brazil's main citrus belt, located in São Paulo and Minas Gerais, continues to face favorable weather conditions for the bacteria's survival, making the disease difficult to control.
Source: Reuters