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Piracicaba, 18 – As already expected by agents from the sector consulted by Cepea, exportations of Frozen Concentrate Orange Juice (FCOJ) Equivalent continue increasing in the 2017/18 season (July to November/17). Expectations are based mainly on higher production in the citrus belt (São Paulo and Triângulo Mineiro) and on the firmer demand from the United States.
To the North-American country, for example, juice shipments in the current season have already increased 56%, compared to the same period last year, totaling 126.3 thousand tons, according to data from Secex. Revenue, in turn, rose 50%, to 216.1 million USD. In Real, revenue increased 47% compared to that in 2016, closing at 689.6 million BRL.
Brazilian juice exportations to the United States should continue firm this season, considering lower production in Florida for one more year. The USDA report released on December 12 estimates the output in that state to reach 46 million boxes, 33% down compared to the previous crop and 8% below that forecast in the previous report. If this volume is confirmed, this may be the smallest output since 1994/1945, when the United States harvested only 42.2 million boxes.
To the European Union, orange juice sales totaled 330.7 thousand tons, 13% up compared to the same period last year. Revenue totaled 605.5 million USD, 23% up in the same comparison, while in Real, revenue totaled 1.93 billion BRL, 21% up.
Total shipments of FCOJ Equivalent increased 22% compared to the same period in the 2016/17 season, to 514 thousand tons. Revenue, in turn, rose 27%, totaling 917.8 million USD. In Real, revenue totaled 2.92 billion BRL, 25% up in the same comparison.
DOMESTIC MARKET – The demand for oranges was warm in the first fortnight of December, but prices started to be affected by the higher supply of stone fruits (common at the end of the year). From December 1 to 15, pear orange quotes averaged 20.26 BRL (6.13 USD) per 40.8-kilo box, on tree, 2.4% up compared to that in the first fortnight of November (Nov. 1 – 14).
As for tahiti lime, fruit size is below the size demanded by the domestic and international markets and continued to hinder sales, pressing down quotes. In the first fortnight of December, tahiti lime quotes averaged 45.72 BRL (13.83 USD) per 27-kilo box, harvested, in the domestic market, 24.26% down compared to that in the first fortnight of November.
Regarding exportations, after decreasing for four consecutive months, shipments recovered in November – the volume shipped last month was 178% higher than in October, according to Secex. In November, exporters intensified activities, aiming to meet the demand at the end of the year in the international market. Besides, the volume available in Brazil was slightly higher. This crop (January to November/17), tahiti lime exportations have totaled 86.7 thousand tons, only 0.5% lower than in the same period last season, according to Secex. In December, shipments have been limited by the high price levels of large-sized fruits, reducing competitiveness in the international market.
Source: hfbrasil.org.br
