37
The second position in the production
of oranges in Brazil, after São Paulo, which
is by far the biggest producer (72.6%), is
claimed by the neighboring states Minas
Gerais and Paraná, along with Bahia, which
occupies this position, according to the lat-
est consolidated data released by the Bra-
zilian Institute of Geography and Statistics
(IBGE), in 2014. However, projections re-
leased in July 2016 for 2015 and 2016 alter
the situation a little, with Minas Gerais in the
second position in the first year and in the
third position in the following year. Produc-
tion in Bahia is joined by Sergipe, in a north-
eastern hub, whilst at the other extremity,
in the South, the state of Rio Grande do Sul
continues with a relevant share (2.2%).
Orange production started to make
strides in Bahia in 2007, reaching a maxi-
mum of 1.12 million tons the following year.
In 2011, 2012 and 2014 the state remained
somewhat above the amount of 1 million
tons, while the estimates for the following
two years the number remained a little be-
low the amount of 1 million tons, with 925
and 985 thousand tons, in the sequence. One
of the factors that caused the drop in pro-
duction is the incidence of the citrus black-
fly in the producing area known as Recônca-
vo, which prompted the implementation of
the action and control plan through the Ba-
hia State Agricultural Defense Agency (Adab).
Second largest orange
producer, the State
of Bahia pursues
revitalization. Nearby
states, Minas Gerais and
Paraná signal growth
references
Steps
forward
“Citrus farming is extremely important
for the economy of Bahia, especially be-
cause it moves the market and generates
Jobs”, says Vitor Bonfim, Secretary of Agri-
culture, observing that, in partnership with
the Secretariat of Rural Development, ef-
forts are spent on revitalizing and restor-
ing the sector. Nilton Caldas, area techni-
cian, from the Bahia State Superintendency
of Technical Assistance and Rural Extension
(Bahiater), notes that the segment, includ-
ing oranges and other citrus fruit, involves
approximately 20 thousand citrus grow-
ers and 100 thousand people involved ei-
ther directly or indirectly, besides generat-
ing revenue of R$ 350 million.
When some blossoming problems sur-
faced in August 2016, followed by black-
fly outbreaks in the biggest producing re-
gion, on the North Coast, the technician
believes that the production levels in 2016
could in fact be similar to 2015. Smaller
supply has already been confirmed, ac-
cording to him, because of the good pric-
es, a fact that is supposed to lead to the
much desired resumption of the activity,
besides the production of seedlings in a
protected environment, defense barriers
against the greening disease and the con-
trol of the fly. The secretary of Agriculture
also recalls the endeavor towards reacti-
vating a processing unit in Nova Soure, in
the Semiarid, bordering the North Coast.
Currently, the State has no processing
industry, while the neighboring Sergipe is
home to two processing plants, and they
absorb Bahia’s production, concentrated
for the most part near the border, where
the highlights are the municipalities of Rio
Real, Itapicuru and Inhambupe. In Sergipe,
a state that produced a total of 614 thousand
tons of the fruit in 2014, the most expressive
share comes from the East, where Cristaná-
polis and Itabaianinha are noteworthy.
LARANJAIS
ORANGE ORCHARDS
Os pomares e as laranjas pelo País
Estados
Área (ha)
Produção (t)
Particip./Prod. (%)
São Paulo
423.967
12.290.107
72,6
Bahia
62.296
1.026.167
6,1
Paraná
27.121
979.682
5,8
Minas Gerais
42.941
940.444
5,6
Sergipe
51.880
614.227
3,6
Rio Grande do Sul
26.003
379.100
2,2
Outros
–
–
4,1
Fonte:
IBGE/PAM 2014.
