The Foreign Trade Secretariat (Secex), the Ministry of Development, Industry and Trade (MDIC), reported that Brazilian exports of orange juice rose 3.35% in February this year compared to the same month last year. Shipments totaled 175,700 tonnes compared with 170,000 tonnes in February last year.
In February, there were U.S.$190.1 million in revenues from the sale of orange juice, a fall of 27.4% compared to the U.S. $ 262 million raised in February 2012. The volume shipped in February was 14.1% less than that of the previous month (204,500 tonnes). Revenue for the period decreased by 23% (U.S. $ 246,900 in January).
The average price of the exported ton of juice in February was U.S. $ 1081,800, 29.80% lower than the U.S. $ 1541.10 of February 2012. Compared with January 2013 (U.S. $ 1207.10 / tonne), the average price is 10.38% lower.
The Government states that it will keep the orange box's minimum price
Amid the crisis, orange producers will receive government support with measures for the commercialization of the 2013 crop and to maintain the minimum price per box, now R $ 10.10. At the meeting on Thursday at the Chamber of the Orange Sector, in Brasilia (Brazil), representatives of the citrus supply chain will request an extension of funding that expires on Thursday of the following week, and the extension of the Special Credit Line for Marketing.
For the president of Ocesp-Sescoop/SP, Edivaldo Del Grande, government assistance in market regulation is essential and contributes to have an appropriate agricultural policy, as in most developed countries. "Otherwise, many producers will end up going out of business and eventually migrate to the big cities, increasing social problems."
Moreover, OCESP president says that producers should have their own agribusiness. "Cooperatives would be viable if people united. Value added production would release the producer from intermediaries who would end up with most of the profit."
Based on Agencia Estatal