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The sharp temperature oscillations in late September in São Paulo State, with excessive heat during the day and cold at night, were concerning citrus growers. These oscillations, added to soil dryness, mainly in regions with little irrigation or rains, may lead fruitlets to drop, which would limit the 2017/18 crop.
Orange trees were at the flower settlement stage in that period of the month, and their fruits will be harvested in the next season – when soil moisture, stable temperature and good air humidity are crucial for production. In this scenario, growers were already investing in the groves nutrition, with resources to help fix fruits, according to the variety and the need of each region.
Despite the crop peak, pear orange prices in the in natura market were higher than 30.00 BRL (9.33 USD) per box, on tree, in mid-September. Values are expected to increase even more until the end of the crop, since most growers believe in a lack of fruits.
Prices in the field were pushed up by limited supply in São Paulo State, firm demand in the in natura market, large purchases of pear oranges by citrus plants from SP and volumes already traded through short and mid-term contracts. Processors’ bidding prices were at attractive levels then. If these plants strengthen competition with the in natura market, prices may rise even more.
Low supply in this crop (2016/17) is linked to the unfavorable weather during the fruit development. Perspectives for low availability of fruits in the upcoming months are reinforced by the advance in the harvesting calendar of the 2016/17 crop.
Source: Hortifruti/Cepea
