Brazilian orange production in key areas is expected to reduce by 24 percent this year due to severe heat waves and disease, leading to significant price increases on the global orange juice market.
Brazilian citrus industry predicts that in the 2024-2025 harvest season, orange production will fall to 232 million boxes (each box weighs approximately 40 kilograms), the lowest in 36 years.
"The average yield per hectare used to be 800 boxes of oranges. However, with citrus greening disease and other issues, we now produce only 560 boxes, meaning a 30 percent loss. This reduction is substantial given the total farming area," said Victor Krauss, who manages an 800-hectare citrus plantation in Casa Branca, Sao Paulo.
The yield drop has caused domestic orange prices to surge: the price of one box oranges has risen from 45 reais (about 8 U.S. dollars) last year to 80 reais (about 14 U.S. dollars) this year, a 78 percent increase.
As the world's largest exporter of orange juice, Brazil supplies over 70 percent of the global market. However, the sharp decline in orange production has led to a rapid increase in orange juice prices worldwide.
Industry data reveal that international orange juice futures prices have risen by about 54.7 percent this year. Despite a 9.3 percent decrease in the total volume of orange juice exports in the 2023-2024 harvest season, revenue increased by 21.3 percent to about 2.5 billion U.S. dollars.
Analysts argue that while rising prices may benefit orange farmers, the shortage and ensuing price hikes pose challenges to the juice processing industry.
"We've learned that many companies are forced to prioritize certain clients due to product shortages. In some places, consumers are unable to purchase orange juice and may turn to other beverages," said Fernando Gomes, researcher at the Center for Advanced Studies on Applied Economics (CEPEA).
To meet international demand, some non-traditional citrus-growing states in Brazil are beginning large-scale orange tree planting. However, it will take at least three years before these newly planted trees start bearing fruit.
Sharp decline orange production drives up juice price in Brazil
The 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) entered its fourth day on Sunday, captivating visitors with groundbreaking technologies, stunning digital art, and notable medical advancements on its first public open day.
Over the past four days, the fair has hosted nearly 200 forums and introduced more than 100 groundbreaking achievements. The public open day saw heightened interest in these technological and artistic advancements.
Highlights included a shield machine used in the world's longest underwater high-speed rail tunnel, showcasing cutting-edge construction technology, and an intelligent unmanned tower crane designed to reduce costs by more than one-third. Additionally, wall-climbing robots for elastic wave inspection were on display.
The high-speed rail exhibit drew significant attention, particularly for its autopilot system capable of precise parking and smooth vehicle control, attracting numerous domestic and international visitors eager to experience it firsthand.
"I have tried the China's high-speed railway train many times. It's comfortable, clean. You can see the scenery while you're traveling. And also today, I have the opportunity to experience the pilot job. So it's very good. I knew that the speed is 350 kilometers per hour. And the very important thing I knew today is autopilot. All the trains are autopilot," said a Danish visitor.
Another highlight was an unmanned aircraft cockpit, operated entirely via a screen with no manual controls, offering a novel low-altitude flight experience. This vertical takeoff and landing aircraft is designed for short-distance transportation, tourism, logistics, and emergency medical services.
The fair's integration of technology and art offered a visual feast, featuring exhibits such as the 'Most Beautiful Great Wall,' displayed in 4K on a large 3D screen, and 'Time Condensation Treasures,' a digital art installation inspired by the Palace Museum’s bronze-gilded water clock. These works were created by Blackbow Creative Design Institution, renowned for its visual effects work at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics.
"We have always aimed to tell China's story effectively through the fusion of art and technology, showcasing China's originality in digital technology to audience worldwide," said Wang Zhiou, founder of Blackbow Creative Design Institution.
The health sector also showcased notable advancements at the fair. Emergency drills conducted by Peking University People’s Hospital and the Beijing Red Cross Society’s air medical rescue team demonstrated their coordination and rapid response capabilities to representatives from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
"We foster collaboration in emergency medicine and promote the sharing of information. In the event of a public health crisis, we provide mutual support," said Wang Tianbing, vice president of Peking University People's Hospital and deputy director of the National Trauma Medicine Center.
Additionally, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, in collaboration with pharmaceutical research institutions, announced the establishment of a joint laboratory for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and neurorepair technology transfer. This lab will focus on tackling neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, stroke, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's.
The fair also unveiled the first 'Traditional Chinese Medicine Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) Common Technology Center' in Beijing, established to support pharmaceutical companies throughout the drug development and manufacturing process.
"We have developed a comprehensive, one-stop service that offers research and production technology support to our research entities," said Li Dejuan, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Visitors can continue exploring the major exhibition areas at the China National Convention Center and Shougang Park, with free entry available until Monday.
Tech, digital art, and medical advances impress public at CIFTIS
