São Paulo, September 2018.
STATEMENT – 2018/19 Brazilian Orange Crop – Ratio of the Fruit
To whom it may concern:
The Technical Committee of CitrusBR would like to inform that low Ratio (brix/acid) results have been observed in the early & mid orange varieties processed by its members in the 2018/2019 crop in the State of Sao Paulo.
An extensive period of drought coinciding with winter, which persists in the citrus region of the State of São Paulo, is directly affecting fruit development and the maturation process, slowing the natural increment of ratio and affecting Vitamin C content.
The Ratio of the fruit is significantly lower than last couple of years and Vitamin C is relatively lower than history, even considering the high acid level in the juice.
CitrusBR members reaffirm their commitment to deliver high quality products and to look for the best fit of the orange crop with the juice standards in different markets.
Considering the impact of weather already observed on the fruit of this crop and the uncertainties involved in weather forecasts, the committee will update this statement if needed.
Ibiapaba Netto
CitrusBR Executive Director
Representing: Citrosuco, Cutrale and Louis Dreyfus Company Juices S. A.