Why HLB Is So Difficult To Control

Daniel CooperBrazil, HLB Management

Brazil’s Fundecitrus recently published a scientific article explaining why HLB is so difficult to control. “Why is it so difficult to control huanglongbing (HLB)? Point of view” was published by the journal Scientia Agricola (Agricultural Science). It was authored by Fundecitrus researcher Renato Bassanezi and post-doctoral researcher Isabela Vescove Primiano, in collaboration with the late professor Armando Bergamin Filho of …

quality

Brazil’s Orange Crop Forecast Drops Again

Tacy CalliesBrazil, Crop Forecast

Fundecitrus’ Dec. 10 orange crop forecast for the São Paulo and Triângulo/Southwest Minas Gerais Citrus Belt in Brazil is for 294.81 million boxes of oranges. That’s a reduction of 3.9% from the September forecast of 306.74 million boxes and a 6.3% reduction from the initial May forecast of 314.6 million boxes. The two main reasons for the reduction in the …

citrus greening

Citrus Greening Seminar Featured International Experts

Daniel CooperHLB Management, International

Fundecitrus recently held an international seminar dedicated to citrus greening. The event had approximately 150 participants and featured experts from China and Brazil. GENOME EDITING Xuefeng Wang, from China’s Southwest University’s Citrus Research Institute, highlighted his interest in building a solid partnership in the area of ​​genome editing. He said his group has already identified promising genes that can contribute …

incidence

Citrus Greening Incidence Increasing in Brazil

Daniel CooperBrazil, HLB Management

Fundecitrus’ annual survey of citrus greening incidence shows that in 2025 the disease affected 47.63% of orange trees in the Citrus Belt of São Paulo and the Triângulo/Southwest Minas Gerais region. This represents a 7.4% increase compared to 2024, when the incidence was 44.35%. SLOWER RATE OF INCREASE However, for the second consecutive year, a slowdown in the rate of …

difficult

Brazil to Implement National Greening Prevention and Control Program

Daniel CooperBrazil, HLB Management

Brazilian agriculture officials recently visited Fundecitrus to discuss the first steps in implementing the National Greening Prevention and Control Program, which will be implemented by the states. The officials were with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA) and the Agricultural Defense Coordination Office of the State of São Paulo. The ordinance establishing the National Greening Prevention and …

orange forecast

Brazilian Orange Forecast Revised

Daniel CooperBrazil, Crop Forecast

On Sept. 10, Brazil reduced the 2025–26 orange forecast for the São Paulo and Triângulo/Southwest Minas Gerais Citrus Belt by 2.5% from the season’s initial forecast, to 306.74 million boxes. This was the first revised forecast issued by Fundecitrus since May. The reduction was mainly due to the increased projected fruit drop rate, which was a result of the increased …

budding

Budding Arrival in Brazil Raises Citrus Greening Concern

Daniel CooperBrazil, Citrus Greening

According to Fundecitrus, the arrival of budding in orange groves marks a critical period for Brazilian citrus growers. The budding process intensifies with the onset of rain, requiring more rigorous control of the psyllid that feeds on buds and transmits the bacteria that causes citrus greening. The budding period, which runs from July to October in Brazil, accounts for between …

delegation

Fundecitrus Hosts California Delegation

Daniel CooperBrazil, California Corner, International

Brazil’s Fundecitrus recently hosted a delegation of approximately 20 agricultural leaders from California. Karen Ross, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, led the delegation. The group visited Brazil to learn more about Fundecitrus’ research, education, training and sustainability initiatives focused on citrus farming. The Californians participated in technical discussions with researchers and took a tour of Fundecitrus’ …

Brazil and China Cooperating on Citrus Greening Research

Tacy CalliesCitrus Greening, International, Research

Fundecitrus Executive Director Juliano Ayres and researcher Nelson Wulff visited China recently to learn about strategies to combat citrus greening and to strengthen research partnerships. Their agenda included technical visits and participation in an international symposium on biotechnological innovations aimed at controlling greening. Among the highlights was a visit to the greenhouse of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing. …

potent

Potent Compound for Psyllid Control

Daniel CooperHLB Management, Research

A recent article by the São Paulo Research Foundation explains how a potent compound might aid in controlling the Asian citrus psyllid, the vector of citrus greening disease. In São Paulo, greening is managed in part by controlling the psyllid. In an attempt to manipulate psyllid behavior, a team of scientists discovered α-copaene, a molecule present in large quantities in …

conference

Citrus Biotechnology and Sustainability Addressed at Conference

Daniel CooperAs Seen On Instagram, Brazil, Events

Fundecitrus researcher Nelson Wulff discussed his organization’s efforts against citrus greening in Brazil during the recent IFAMA 2025 (International Food and Agribusiness Management Association) world conference. The event took place in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo. Wulff spoke about Fundecitrus’ research focused on combating greening and controlling its vector in orchards. His presentation occurred during his participation in a panel titled …

carbon stock

Biomass and Carbon Stock in Brazil’s Orange Trees

Daniel CooperBrazil, Research

Fundecitrus and Embrapa Territorial carried out a joint scientific research project to quantify carbon stocks and identify wildlife in Brazil’s Citrus Belt of São Paulo and Triângulo/Southwest Minas Gerais. The work, supported by resources from Innocent Drinks, resulted in the publishing of an article titled “Estimating biomass and carbon stock in orange trees (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) of the São …

international

Fundecitrus Honored at International Juice Conference

Daniel CooperAwards, Events, International

During the recent International Fruit and Vegetable Juice Association (IFU) conference held in Brazil, IFU honored Fundecitrus for its contributions to the citrus industry. Fundecitrus is an association maintained by citrus growers and juice manufacturers from São Paulo, Brazil. The association aims to foster the sustainable development of the Brazilian citrus industry. Its mission includes developing research, disseminating knowledge and …

inventory

Brazil’s Citrus Tree Inventory Updated

Daniel CooperBrazil, Land

Brazil’s Fundecitrus recently released its 2025–26 Tree Inventory of the São Paulo and West-Southwest Minas Gerais Citrus Belt. The report shows the estimated grove inventory as updated in March 2025. The area planted with citrus showed a slight increase compared to the previous mapping, contrary to the trend observed in recent surveys. While there was a reduction of 16,956 hectares …

effectiveness

Effectiveness of Psyllid Insecticides in Brazil

Daniel CooperBrazil, HLB Management

Fundecitrus researcher Marcelo Miranda recently discussed the effectiveness of insecticides in combating greening-spreading Asian citrus psyllids in Brazil. He presented a lecture at the 50th Expocitrus/46th Citrus Week at the Sylvio Moreira Citrus Center in São Paulo. The information Miranda shared focused on the Citrus Belt of São Paulo and expansion areas. The researcher shared updated results of studies conducted …

good

Fundecitrus Launches Good Fruits Labor Project

Daniel CooperBrazil, Labor

Brazil’s Fundecitrus launched the Good Fruits program, aimed at adoption of legal practices in labor relations, during the recent Expocitrus event. The program’s objectives are to contribute to more responsible management on rural properties, strengthen compliance with Brazilian standards and promote a fairer, safer and more productive work environment. After launching the project, Fundecitrus distributed the guide “Employer Good Practices …

São Paulo

Fundecitrus Honors São Paulo Ag Secretary

Daniel CooperAwards, Brazil

Brazil’s Fundecitrus recently led a tribute to Guilherme Piai, secretary of agriculture and supply of the state of São Paulo. The recognition of the secretary’s support in the fight against citrus greening occurred during the opening ceremony of the 50th Expocitrus/46th Citrus Week. Fundecitrus Executive Director Juliano Ayres presented Piai with a symbolic trophy in gratitude for his work and …

engineer

Citrus Engineer Honored

Daniel CooperAwards, Brazil

Ivaldo Sala, coordinator of the Fundecitrus Technology Transfer department, recently received the Outstanding Agricultural Engineer in Citrus award. The award was granted by organizers of the 50th Expocitrus/46th Citrus Week in Brazil.  The award ceremony was part of the opening afternoon of the exhibition week. Sala, who has worked at Fundecitrus 32 years, said, “We have worked tirelessly, transforming the …

psyllid control

HLB in Brazil: Focus on Psyllid Control

Daniel CooperBrazil, HLB Management, Psyllids

Fundecitrus researcher Renato Bassanezi recently emphasized the importance of controlling the psyllid that spreads huanglongbing (HLB, also known as citrus greening) in Brazil. Bassanezi pointed out that with the increase of HLB-spreading psyllids recorded in 2023 and the lack of eradication of diseased trees, controlling the HLB-spreading insect becomes increasingly important. The researcher said there can be no failures in …

Brazil Announces 2025–26 Initial Orange Forecast

Tacy CalliesBrazil, Crop Forecast

Fundecitrus and its cooperators on May 9 forecast the 2025–26 orange harvest in Brazil’s Citrus Belt of São Paulo and Triângulo/Sudoeste Mineiro at 314.6 million boxes. That would be a 36.2% increase over the 2024–25 harvest of 230.87 million boxes. The expected larger harvest is mainly attributed to more fruit per tree. The increased number of fruit is due to …