Greening affects 47,6% of orange trees, according to Fundecitrus

O Greening reached 47,63% of the orange trees in the citrus belt of São Paulo and Triângulo Mineiro in 2025. The index grew 7,4% compared to 2024, when it reached 44,35%. The growth slowed for the second year, after increases of 16,5% between 2023 and 2024 and 55,9% between 2022 and 2023.

A more careful selection of areas for new plantings contributed to the slowdown. Producers resumed removing diseased trees up to five years old and replanting them immediately. The psyllid population declined significantly in 2024, as a result of more effective control.

The incidence decreased by 54,1% in orchards aged 0 to 2 years and 17,1% in those aged 3 to 5 years. Better remuneration in 2023 and 2024 increased the resistance to eliminating already productive diseased plants. The highest incidence remains in orchards over 10 years old (58,43%), followed by those aged 6 to 10 years (57,79%), 3 to 5 years (39,18%), and 0 to 2 years (2,72%).

Nearly 100 million trees, out of a total of 209 million, are infected. This increase is linked to high populations of the insect vector, the presence of diseased plants in orchards, and milder weather in the second half of 2024, which is favorable for the bacteria.

Psyllid population

The population of psyllids decreased 41% in 2024 with insecticide rotation, kaolin application, and improved spraying. Even so, current levels are four to nine times higher than those observed before 2020.

The average severity of the disease increased for the fourth year, rising from 18,7% in 2024 to 22,7% in 2025. The average fruit drop attributed to greening increased from 3,1% in the 2021/22 season to 9,1% in the 2024/25 season, now accounting for 50,8% of the total fruit dropped before harvest.

Six of the 12 regions in the belt have incidence rates above 60%. The most affected areas are Limeira (79,9%), Porto Ferreira (70,6%), Avaré (69,2%), Duartina (62,7%), and Brotas (60,8%). Bebedouro (47,2%) and Altinópolis (45,1%) remain at a high level. São José do Rio Preto (34,3%), Itapetininga (28,7%), and Matão (24,6%) appear at an intermediate level, with significant progress in São José do Rio Preto and Itapetininga. Votuporanga (3,1%) and Triângulo Mineiro (0,3%) maintain the lowest rates.