FAS/San José expects orange production to increase by approximately 11 percent in marketing year (MY) 2024/25 to 250,000 metric tons. Production in MY 2023/24 was lower than previously expected at 225,000 metric tons as a result of erratic rainfall patterns associated with the El Niño weather phenomenon. According to government sources, citrus greening is affecting most production areas of the country and has caused many small producers to abandon orange production or shift their land to other activities.
Production
FAS/San José forecasts total production to increase 11 percent in MY 2024/25 to 250,000 metric tons (MT) as a result of better weather conditions during 2024 in the main production areas. According to industry sources, abnormal weather patterns have affected production during the last two marketing years. However, the effect of unfavorable weather conditions associated with an El Niño weather system resulted in much lower rainfall during 2023 in the northern production regions bordering Nicaragua. In addition to less rainfall, the timing of the rains was not consistent enough to sustain the proper development of the fruits. This was the main cause of lower-than-expected production in MY 2023/24, which resulted in one of the lowest production levels in the last few years. Weather patterns were normal in the first part of 2024, although excessive amounts of rain in November caused widespread flooding in the Pacific side of the country.
Industry sources anticipate greater difficulty securing sufficient labor as well as higher wages for scarce pickers in MY 2024/25 and possibly in subsequent crops. Labor availability was less of a factor in MY 2023/24 because of the smaller-than-expected crop. Producers expect more stable costs of production in MY 2024/25, as the cost of fuel and fertilizer throughout 2024 remained similar or lower than in the previous year. However, the high cost of agrochemicals and the limited availability of molecules to fight citrus greening continues to challenge growers.
Citrus greening disease was first identified in Costa Rica in 2011 and remains a major concern for producers. Citrus greening is now endemic throughout the country's growing areas, increasing costs, decreasing yields, adding uncertainty to future production plans, and limiting the growth of production areas. The largest farms have been relatively successful in mitigating the effects of the disease by establishing strict controls, including constant farm surveillance and eradication of affected plants. Better capitalized producers use agrochemicals and biological controls (a wasp, tamarixia radiata, that feeds on the Asian citrus psyllid) in their preventive measures.
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