Brazil orange crop 2007 forecast

Brazil's orange crop during 2006/07 is forecast at 17.5 million tons, down nearly 2 percent from the previous year, assuming that good weather conditions prevail during 2007 to support fruit setting and size. Citrus groves have received adequate crop management as a consequence of better prices paid by producers. The first blossoming occurred in August-September 2006, followed by a good one in October 2006. The intensity of blossoming was similar to the previous year, although the peak was delayed by a month (mid-October 2006 as opposed to mid-September in 2005.) Overall, weather conditions have contributed to support flowering and if normal weather conditions prevail in 2007, the fruit size should be larger than 2006/07. The incidence of Colletotrichum holds the potential to affect production in the southern region. Colletotrichum is the most important and common fungal genus causing anthracnose.