Prices for oranges designated for industrial use in Brazil experienced a downturn in late February. This decline is attributed to both diminished fruit quality and international reductions in orange juice market quotations. For the period from February 24-27, the average price was USD 12.62 per 40.8-kilo box, reflecting a 6.55% decrease from the previous week and a 16% decrease for February.
Industry players surveyed by Cepea report a reduction in orange quality since the start of the year. The lower brix-acid ratio has impacted the quality of orange juice produced. This quality issue is linked to the 2024/25 season, which recorded multiple blossoming cycles, resulting in the harvest of fruits at various maturity stages, affecting standardization for processing.
Regarding export impacts, the limited supply and quality of oranges have constrained orange juice shipments. Comex Stat data indicates that exports of not-from-concentrate (NFC) orange juice (NCM 20091200) have underperformed compared to the previous season. From July 2024 to January 2025, Brazil shipped 1.09 million tons of juice, marking a 3.4% decrease from the same period in the prior season.
Conversely, Brazilian exports of Tahiti lime are progressing well, following a record volume in 2024. In January, Brazil exported 17.15 thousand tons of Tahiti lime, setting a record for the month and marking an 18.1% increase compared to January 2024, according to Secex data. Revenue reached USD 14.826 million, a 13.4% rise in the same comparison.
Source: CEPEA