Satisfaction of the producers and orange production trends in the main Brazilian citrus belt

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the producers´ satisfaction with the sweet orange orange (Citrus sinensis) cultivation, and the production trends in the main Brazilian citrus belt – in the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais (the Triângulo Mineiro / southwest Minas Gerais). Interviews were performed with 260 producers from 922 stratified properties [with 20,000 trees (small), from 20,001 to 100,000 (medium), and more than 100,000 trees (large)]. The analysis with 93% confidence level and 5% sampling error showed that 92% of properties are owned, 28% of them are irrigated, 61% have less than 20,000 trees, and 81% have been cultivated for more than 20 years; besides, 45% producers seek to plant the cultivar ‘Pera Rio’, and 53% intend to use the ‘Swingle’ citrumelo rootstock. The preferred regions for planting are Avaré, Triângulo Mineiro, and São José do Rio Preto. The biggest concerns over the orange production in the Citrus Belt are the adverse climatic factors in its north and northwest sectors, and the phytosanitary issues in the in its southwest, south and center sectors. Despite the reduction trend of the number of properties with orange in the last decades, it can be attenuated, given the satisfaction of the producers with the crop, mainly from the part of the larger ones. This can be confirmed by the decision of establishing new plantings in 69% (large), 48% (medium), and 36% (small) of the properties.