Paraná extends emergency to combat greening once again

The State Government has extended the phytosanitary emergency status for another 180 days to combat greening, one of the main pests affecting citrus fruits worldwide. The goal is to continue to have greater mobility and the ability to act more quickly and effectively in controlling the disease. Decree 8.365/2024 was signed by Governor Carlos Massa Ratinho Junior last week. 

Since the most effective actions in the field of greening or HLB (Huanglongbing) and its main vector, the psyllid diaphorina citri, began about two years ago, almost 280 thousand citrus and ornamental plants, such as myrtle, were eradicated in the Northwest and North regions of the State. The eradication of diseased plants, the planting of healthy seedlings from registered nurseries and the efficient control of the insect vector with biological and chemical products are some of the good practices recommended in the face of this disease.

The actions are carried out by the Government, through the State Secretariat for Agriculture and Supply (Seab), the Paraná Agricultural Defense Agency (Adapar) and the Paraná Rural Development Institute (IDR-Paraná), together with citrus producers, industrial sector, agricultural research companies, cooperatives and city halls in producing regions.

Recently, in a new phase of the task force against greening, more than 200 infected plants were eradicated in the Northwest. Carried out in early November, the operation involved 30 Adapar employees and covered the municipalities of Altônia, Cruzeiro do Oeste, Maria Helena, Iporã, São Jorge do Patrocínio, Perobal, Cafezal do Sul and Umuarama.

This year, Technical Chamber meetings were also held in the Northwest region, allowing dialogue between specialists and producers to discuss management and control measures. In addition, the topic was highlighted at agricultural fairs and technical events held in the state, mainly in the North and Northwest regions. Intensive monitoring of orchards and preventive actions were also part of the efforts of agricultural defense to preserve the health and competitiveness of Paraná's citrus industry.

Gross Production Value 

Data from the Rural Economy Department (Deral) of Seab show that citrus farming is the most representative branch in Paraná's fruit industry. Data from the Gross Production Value (VBP) for 2023 indicate that the main citrus fruits – oranges, tangerines and lemons – were cultivated on 29,3 thousand hectares in the state. Oranges are the highlight, with 20,8 thousand hectares, followed by tangerines (7,1 thousand hectares) and lemons (1,3 thousand hectares).

Citrus had a production of 860,9 thousand tons in 2023 – 731,6 thousand of oranges, 94,4 thousand of tangerines and 34,7 thousand tons of lemons. In terms of monetary income, oranges were responsible for R$752 million, tangerines had a VBP of R$177,4 million, while lemons were valued at R$55,9 million.