Greening registers smallest advance in nine years in São Paulo

The spread of citrus greening in the citrus belt of São Paulo and the Triângulo/Sudoeste Mineiro region slowed in 2026. According to a survey by the Citrus Defense Fund (Fundecitrus), the incidence of the disease increased from 47,63% in 2025 to 48,08% this year, a rise of 0,45 percentage points — the smallest increase recorded in the last nine years. In the previous survey, the increase had been 3,28 percentage points.

Despite the slowdown, the incidence rate remains high and requires continued control measures. According to Fundecitrus, the improvement is related, among other factors, to the control of the psyllid, the insect vector of the bacteria that causes citrus greening, the renewal of orchards, and climatic conditions less favorable to the spread of the disease.

In São Paulo, the Agricultural Defense agency maintains inspection and monitoring actions in orchards, in addition to controlling the production and commercialization of seedlings. In 2025, approximately 222,7 million plants were inspected, with 4,42 million being eliminated. Between 2023 and 2025, more than 667 million plants were inspected and 14,1 million were eliminated.

Prevention and control of HLB

The state also updated the rules for HLB prevention and control. In May of this year, a resolution made it mandatory to register properties with citrus plants with the Agricultural Defense agency and established new monitoring rules. The regulation also differentiated the requirements for eliminating symptomatic plants according to the incidence of the disease in the municipalities.

Control of the citrus psyllid remains mandatory throughout the state of São Paulo. Between August and November, the period of greatest sprouting, the risk of dissemination increases due to the insect's increased feeding, multiplication, and migration, according to Fundecitrus.

Accessible credit and the role of research

In addition to oversight, the São Paulo state government offers credit for the renewal of orchards or the replacement of compromised areas. For the 2026/27 harvest, the "Sustainable Plant Production in São Paulo" line of credit, from the São Paulo Agribusiness Expansion Fund (FEAP), covers the establishment and renewal of orchards, including expenses for the eradication of areas affected by citrus greening. This line has R$ 30 million available for actions related to plant production, plant health, and orchard recovery.

The research is also part of the strategy to combat the disease. The Center for Applied Citrus Research (CPA Citros) brings together public and private investments estimated at R$ 90 million, with participation from the "Sylvio Moreira" Citrus Center of the Agronomic Institute (IAC), as well as Fapesp, universities, Fundecitrus, CitrusBR and other representatives of the sector.

São Paulo accounts for approximately 80% of Brazilian orange production, making the control of citrus greening one of the main sanitary challenges for citrus farming in São Paulo.