Fundecitrus Executive Director Juliano Ayres discussed the future of orange production in Brazil during the 75th-anniversary celebration of the German Fruit Juice Industry Association. The event was held in Bonn, Germany in late June.
Ayres addressed the key factors expected to influence Brazilian citrus farming in the coming years, emphasizing orchard health, competitiveness, sustainability and the health benefits of orange juice.
Regarding greening management — one of the main topics addressed — Ayres underscored the importance of adopting good agricultural practices, integrated control strategies and psyllid monitoring technologies. He described them as essential elements for mitigating greening’s impact on the citrus industry and ensuring the maintenance of orange productivity and quality.
Turning to the sustainability of orange production in Brazil, Ayres emphasized production efficiency and orchard longevity as decisive factors for the country’s competitiveness in the international juice market.
“The future of orange production in Brazil necessarily depends on advances in greening management, the consistent adoption of good field practices and the use of technologies that boost orchard efficiency,” Ayres said. “At the same time, it is crucial to strengthen the perception of orange juice as a natural, healthy product — an essential step toward increasing international market demand.”
Ayres addressed the range of health benefits associated with orange juice. Recent research indicates that natural orange juice — when part of a balanced diet — can help improve metabolic markers such as cholesterol and blood glucose levels, while offering antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. There is also evidence of a beneficial impact on gut microbiota as well as a reduction in blood pressure by up to 5%.
“These results reinforce the status of orange juice, when consumed regularly and appropriately, as a functional food linked to the prevention of chronic diseases and the maintenance of health and well-being,” Ayres said.
Read about a recent study suggesting that regular orange juice consumption may support heart health while improving blood pressure regulation, lipid metabolism and inflammation.
Source: Fundecitrus
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