The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) expects Costa Rican orange production to increase approximately 11% in 2024–25, to 250,000 metric tons. Production in 2023–24 was lower than expected at 225,000 metric tons as a result of erratic rainfall patterns associated with the El Niño weather phenomenon.
The area planted in oranges is expected to remain unchanged in 2024–25 at 21,000 hectares. That includes plantings on the Nicaraguan side of the border for processing in Costa Rica.
COSTS AND HLB CHALLENGE INDUSTRY
The high cost of agrochemicals and the limited availability of molecules to fight HLB continue to challenge growers. HLB was first identified in Costa Rica in 2011 and is now endemic throughout the country’s growing areas. It increases costs, decreases yields, adds uncertainty to future production plans and limits growth of the production area.
The largest farms have been relatively successful in mitigating the effects of HLB by establishing strict controls, including constant farm surveillance and eradication of affected plants. Better capitalized producers use agrochemicals and biological controls in their preventive measures. Biological controls include a wasp, Tamarixia radiata, that feeds on the HLB-spreading Asian citrus psyllid.
Industry sources say small- or medium-size growers whose plantations have been affected by HLB are very likely to exit orange production over the medium-term given the high cost of controlling the disease. Smaller producers, less capable of investing in agrochemicals and biological controls, have reportedly suffered heavier losses. Some producers have been less vigilant in eradicating infected trees, contributing to the spread of HLB.
INCREASED PLANTING DENSITY
Orange growers have gradually increased the number of trees per hectare by using the Flying Dragon pattern, which supports higher tree density, easier farm management and lower production costs. This innovation has allowed farmers to significantly increase tree density from 300 to 450 trees per hectare under traditional planting patterns to 800 to 900 trees per hectare with the Flying Dragon.
Major growers are expected to continue directing investments toward replanting existing areas with new trees and new patterns, rather than increasing the area planted.
IMPORTS AND EXPORTS
Imports of fresh oranges from Nicaragua reached 51,695 metric tons through September 2024. In contrast, Costa Rica imported a total of 65,235 metric tons of fresh oranges from Nicaragua in 2023. Imports from Nicaragua have averaged close to 70,000 metric tons since 2017.
USDA FAS expects total orange juice exports to increase to 25,000 metric tons in 2024–25, as a result of higher expected production.
The United States continued to be Costa Rica’s leading destination for orange juice exports in 2024. Total orange juice exports to the United States through September 2024 were 10,192 metric tons, 46% lower in volume and 41% lower in value than the same period in 2023. Costa Rican orange juice enters the United States duty-free under the Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement.
See the full USDA FAS report on Costa Rican citrus here.
Source: USDA FAS
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