2022/23 orange harvest in the SP and MG citrus belt is reestimated at 314,09 million boxes

The first reestimate of the 2022/23 orange harvest for the citrus belt of São Paulo and Triângulo/Southwest Mineiro, released by Fundecitrus this Monday (12), indicates production of 314,09 million boxes of 40,8 kg. This value corresponds to a reduction of 0,9% in relation to the estimate published in May this year.

The crop failure was caused by the low volume of rain in recent months, which hampered fruit growth. The coordinator of the Fundecitrus Harvest Estimation Research (PES), Vinícius Trombin, explains that the volume of rainfall accumulated in the first four months of the harvest is only half of the climatological normal. Compared to last year's weather conditions, the scenario is more favorable due to better distribution and a slightly higher rate of rainfall.  

“In general, the fruits harvested are small, due to the lack of a significant volume of rain in most of the citrus belt and the good fruit load in this harvest”, explains Trombin.

Fruit weight and drop rate

The average fruit weight was revised for all varieties to 261 fruits per box (156 grams per fruit), different from the projection in May, of 258 fruits per box (158 grams per fruit). The smallest fruits are being harvested in the southern sector of the belt, which includes the regions of Porto Ferreira and Limeira, where the greatest differences in accumulated rainfall in relation to the historical average were also observed.

The projected fruit drop rate decreases from 20,0% to 19,80%, on average, among all varieties.

The Harvest Estimation Survey is carried out by Fundecitrus in partnership with Markestrat, FEARP/USP and FCAV/Unesp. The second harvest estimate will be released on December 12, 2022.