World.Alpha-News.org ➤ The news of the world is here

SAO PAULO, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Brazil's orange juice exports dropped by 19.7% during the first half of the 2024/25 season compared to the same period in the prior year, as reported on Wednesday by CitrusBR, a group of citrus juice exporters in Brazil.

During this timeframe, the nation dispatched around 535,600 metric tons of orange juice. Brazil, the primary global producer and exporter of orange juice, is experiencing historical high prices for frozen concentrate in New York due to diminished orange supplies in Brazil and Florida.

Orange production in Brazil's main cultivation areas has declined in recent years due to citrus greening, an incurable disease that decreases productivity.

According to the most recent forecast by research center Fundecitrus in December, the ongoing harvest in Brazil's key regions is approaching a three-decade low.

Ibiapaba Netto, the Executive Director of CitrusBR, observed that reduced exports from Brazil coincide with a drop in consumption. Netto highlighted, "The sector is experiencing five cycles of modest to medium crops and, based on global indicators, an unprecedented price surge indicating an inevitable decline in demand."

Government data compiled by CitrusBR showed that revenue from Brazil's orange juice exports surged by 42.7% between July and December, reaching $1.88 billion, fueled by higher international prices.

Throughout this period, Europe maintained its position as the primary buyer of Brazil's orange juice, accounting for 42.7% of the total volume shipped.