With double-digit losses projected for the 2026/27 crop, the sector is seeking alternatives to mitigate the country’s most damaging citrus disease

Brazil’s citrus industry is facing one of the most critical moments in its recent history as greening (HLB – Huanglongbing), currently considered the world’s most serious phytosanitary threat to citrus orchards, continues to spread. The growing pressure from the disease is already compromising productivity, fruit quality, orchard longevity, and sharply increasing production costs across the country’s citrus value chain.

The impacts of HLB became evident in the new forecast for the 2026/27 citrus crop in the São Paulo and Triângulo/Southwest Minas Gerais citrus belt — the world’s leading orange juice-producing region. According to an announcement by Fundecitrus, production is expected to reach 255.20 million 40.8-kg boxes, a volume 12.9% lower than the previous crop, which totaled 292.94 million boxes, and also 14.7% below the average of the past decade.

According to Fundecitrus Executive Director Juliano Ayres, the combination of adverse weather conditions and increasing greening pressure has further worsened orchard conditions. “This crop has been impacted by climate variability and higher greening pressure, affecting fruit set, yield, and fruit drop. Despite improvements in average fruit weight and the technological level of orchards, the situation requires strict management and continuous monitoring,” he stated.

These figures and analyses were presented during Expocitros 2026 and Citrus Week 2026, which began this week at the Sylvio Moreira Citrus Center of the Agronomic Institute in Cordeirópolis, São Paulo state. The events bring together agribusiness leaders, researchers, growers, companies, and government representatives to discuss innovation, sustainability, biological inputs, technology, energy, and the main challenges facing Brazilian citriculture.

Incidence Near 50% Raises Alarm Across Citrus Belt

According to industry specialists, HLB has reached alarming levels. Citrus consultant Gilberto Tozatti, who has more than 40 years of experience in the sector and is founder of GCONCI (Citrus Consultants Group), says the average incidence of symptomatic trees in Brazil’s main citrus belt has already reached 47.6%, while average disease severity stands at 22.7%.

According to him, the problem goes beyond geographic spread. “Severity represents the level of plant impairment and is directly related to reduced production and increased fruit losses,” Tozatti explains. He also notes that greening has been gradually expanding into other citrus-producing regions throughout the country.

Consultant Hamilton Rocha recalls that HLB was first detected in the citrus belt in 2004 and has continued to spread ever since. “Today it is present in nearly 50% of citrus trees in the citrus belt and has already spread to Minas Gerais, Paraná, and other states,” he observes.

The economic consequences are severe. Tozatti estimates that more than 50% of premature fruit drop is currently associated with HLB. In addition, the disease significantly reduces industrial yields and compromises juice quality, directly impacting the competitiveness of Brazil’s citrus industry.

Hamilton Rocha emphasizes that losses have been accumulating for more than two decades. “Fruit production and quality have declined dramatically throughout these more than 20 years,” he says.

Integrated Management Remains the Main Strategy

With no definitive cure available on the market, greening control continues to rely on integrated management, intensive monitoring, and strict control of the psyllid Diaphorina citri, the insect vector responsible for transmitting the bacteria associated with HLB.

In regions with lower incidence levels, Tozatti highlights the importance of rapidly eradicating infected trees and maintaining rigorous vector control to prevent disease spread. In the most heavily affected areas, growers have concentrated efforts on preserving orchard productivity and longevity.

“In these regions, the focus has been on improving soil fertility, balanced nutrition, and preservation of the root system, one of the plant structures most severely affected by HLB,” the consultant says.

Hamilton Rocha points out that there is still no effective reversal of the disease in symptomatic plants. “What we can currently do is reduce the speed at which the disease advances within the orchard,” he explains.

Agronomist and PhD André Luis Teixeira Creste describes the situation as alarming. According to him, some regions already show symptomatic tree incidence levels above 70%, potentially leading to even greater losses depending on weather conditions.

Despite the disease pressure, Creste says Agro São José orchards have adopted rigorous management protocols based on Fundecitrus recommendations, including chemical and biological control, plant revitalization, and sustainable soil management practices.

“There is no silver bullet for disease control. Different tools must be combined, including soil management, vector control, chemical crop protection products, and biologicals,” he states.

He also highlights the use of solar reflectors as a complementary tool and points to new technologies currently under evaluation in the market as promising alternatives to reduce HLB-related damage.

New Technology Aims to Slow Disease Progression

Among the technologies attracting industry attention is the Trecise system, developed by Invaio Sciences. The solution uses a localized trunk injection system that allows the precise delivery of active ingredients, including bactericides such as oxytetracycline. The product is currently undergoing registration for commercial use in Brazil.

According to the company, because it is a high-precision application system in which the product is delivered directly into the plant’s vascular system, it is possible to reduce application rates by up to 90% compared to other methods, while also minimizing worker exposure and environmental impacts.

For Gilberto Tozatti, the solution represents “an extremely promising alternative” for the sector. “It brings hope for more efficient control of the bacteria inside the plant, reducing HLB-related losses and helping maintain orchards in production,” he says.

Hamilton Rocha also views the system positively. “The use of bactericides is one of the strategies that may help combat greening. Invaio’s technology is very effective because it performs localized application, avoiding exposure outside the citrus plant, and the results are highly promising,” he notes.

In trials conducted in partnership with Invaio, André Creste reports significant productivity gains. “We have observed recovery in trees with disease severity up to level 2 and productivity gains of up to 35% compared to untreated areas,” he states.

Citrus grower Tiago Davoglio considers HLB “the main problem in Brazilian citriculture” and says the sector has spent nearly 20 years attempting to control the disease without achieving a definitive solution.

“The losses are well established: fruit drop, poor flowering set, plant mortality, and compromised industrial yields,” he says. According to Davoglio, technology based on OTC application could represent an important shift in greening management strategies.

“Invaio’s technology directly attacks the disease within the HLB ‘tripod.’ We will continue controlling the vector, but with the possibility of reducing contaminated vectors spreading the bacteria to healthy plants,” he observes.

According to Alexandre Chaves, the Trecise technology, once commercially available, will represent a new strategic tool for Brazilian citrus growers. “The combination of an innovative application technology capable of delivering the product directly into the plant’s vascular system, together with a highly effective active ingredient for bacterial control, will bring an unprecedented and complementary approach to disease management. As a company, we are committed to expanding the arsenal of solutions available to Brazilian citrus growers in addressing what is currently the greatest challenge facing citriculture.”

Leonardo Gottems

Photo by Morthy Jameson on Unsplash

Is Blockchain the Solution for Agribusiness? In recent years, concerns about food security and ESG practices have increased, leading to a greater appreciation of product origin. Blockchain emerges as a solution for tracking agricultural supply chains. Studies indicate that global investments in blockchain in agriculture could reach $948 million by 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 48.1% since 2020.

“The data points to growth in the agribusiness sector, mainly due to the security that blockchain technology brings and for creating certification and traceability systems that guarantee the sustainable origin of products, benefiting both consumers and producers. So, I can affirm that exploring and adopting this technology strategically ensures significant benefits that can further boost growth, competitiveness, and trust in the market,” says Diego Guareschi, CMO of Hathor.

Blockchain offers advantages to the market, promoting transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in production. It functions as a decentralized, fraud-proof database, recording operations in chained and immutable blocks, allowing for subsequent analysis of stored information through verifiers.

“A good example of this is the use of QR Codes on product packaging, which when scanned provide data such as water, fertilizer, and energy use in cultivation, as well as the amount of carbon emitted in the process. At the same time, the tool also helps the producer to have better control of their operations, optimizing time and resources by unifying everything in one platform,” he indicates.

He concludes by saying that “by spreading transparency and traceability, blockchain is able to substantially contribute to ensuring a greater commitment to the ESG agenda of one of the important sectors of the Brazilian economy, promoting security and trust among all involved. In the coming years, we can expect its use to continue to grow in the country, driving innovation in agribusiness and increasing competitiveness in the market at the national and international levels.”

Leonardo Gottems

Photo by Marta Ortigosa on Unsplash

Brazilian company Nortox has unveiled to MKTPlace its latest innovation for soybean disease control: Scudeiro, an exclusive and unprecedented fusion designed to combat rust and target spot. This fungicide, composed of Protioconazole and Tebuconazole, has been meticulously crafted to stand out as the primary choice for the initial soybean application.

Commercial Director João Marcos Ferrari emphasizes Nortox’s commitment to providing comprehensive solutions for farmers, extending beyond the mere sale of active ingredients. According to him, all possible combinations among fungicide groups were tested, leading to the conclusion of the mixture of two triazoles.

In turn, Célio Hiroyuki Fudo, Product Development Manager, stated that the synergy between Protioconazole and Tebuconazole ensured “efficacy in controlling Asian rust,” demonstrating “excellent performance in combating other soybean diseases.”

Thiago Polles, Market Development Leader, highlights that Scudeiro is a broad-spectrum systemic fungicide, registered for various crops such as cotton, corn, wheat, barley, and sorghum, eliminating the need for adjuvant oil.

The distinctive formulation of Scudeiro, developed in 27 research institutions in Brazil and Cooperative Trials, has proven effective in controlling diseases such as target spot and Asian rust, ensuring productivity and being selective for soybean cultivation.

Maicom Tumiate, Registration and Development Manager, emphasizes the prioritization of the product by the Ministry of Agriculture due to its exclusive and innovative composition, combined with the technical product synthesis and formulation in Brazil.

Lucas Morais, Marketing Coordinator – Communication, underscores that the launch of Scudeiro marks the continuation of the company’s new communication positioning in the market. Celebrating 70 years in April 2024, Nortox adopts a new marketing strategy for Scudeiro and upcoming innovations, moving away from the tradition of naming products after the predominant active ingredient.

Leonardo Gottems

Photo by Kanchanara on Unsplash

Agrotoken has partnered with Santander to launch “the world’s first experience” of providing resources through tokens based on agricultural commodities.

For each token, there is a ton of grains that the producer has sold and delivered to a grain trading and agricultural production company. Similarly, all tons are validated through a Proof of Grain Reserve (PoGR) – a transparent, secure, decentralized, and auditable system at all times through a modern security infrastructure.

Once producers have their digital assets, agro tokens can be used for various operations, taking into account three price indices defined in conjunction with the Matba Rofex Group (a market where financial and agricultural futures and options are traded), reflecting the real-time value of grains. Since the beginning of 2021, several operations have been conducted, demonstrating the usability of crypto assets in exchange for various types of inputs, trucks, machinery, and real estate, among other things.

Eduardo Novillo Astrada, CEO and co-founder of Agrotoken states that they are “creating, together with Santander, various financial products to offer agricultural producers a service through which they can easily and smoothly access a new credit system backed by the sale of their grains.”

“At Santander Argentina, we have technology and innovation to generate new business solutions that make life easier and expand opportunities for agricultural producers. This is the first time that a financial services platform using blockchain technology and crypto assets to expand the agricultural credit market and unleash the business potential of the producer,” said Fernando Bautista, Head of Agribusiness at Santander Argentina.

The bank announced that it “believes in technology” and will invest $225 million in this area in Argentina. According to them, it is the first time that a global financial services platform links tokens of agricultural products to financial products, using blockchain technology to generate new business and make the process more efficient.

Leonardo Gottems

Photo by James Baltz on Unsplash

Vegetable bioactivator-controlling nematodes can be associated with fertilizers.

Derived from plant sources, the Organic Bloom vegetable bioactivator has been drawing the attention of technicians and farmers as an efficient organic alternative in combating the main species of nematodes that cause damage to crops such as soybeans, corn, beans, and cotton. In addition to being effective in controlling reniform nematodes, along with gall, cyst, and lesion nematodes, Organic Bloom has studies confirming its ability to solubilize phosphorus, induce resistance against nematodes in soybean plants, and synergize with biological products formulated with bacteria and fungi.

According to agronomist Cristiane dos Reis, Director of Research and Development (R&D) at Ingal Agrotechnology, studies were conducted in collaboration with nematologist Dr. Cristiano Bellé from the Phytus Institute, confirming the effectiveness of Organic Bloom against nematodes when incorporated into organomineral fertilizer formulations.

The research was conducted in greenhouse and field settings in soybean (Glycine max) cultivation. Various organomineral fertilizer formulations treated with Organic Bloom were compared to their standards and also to mineral fertilizers regarding plant productivity parameters and mitigation of the root-knot nematode, Meloidoyne javanica.

In the greenhouse trial, 30 days after the application of Organomineral treated with 2 Liters.Ton-1 of Organic Bloom, there was efficiency in controlling Meloidogyne javanica eggs and juveniles in 100 cm3 of soil, with reductions of 46.2% and 43.2% compared to the control treatment, respectively. At 60 days after the application of organomineral in the soil, the highest response was observed in juvenile control, with an efficiency of 35.6%.

Field trials were conducted in Júlio de Castilhos/RS and showed more significant results compared to the same dose used in the greenhouse. At 30 days, efficiency of 46.8% and 48.2% in controlling eggs and juveniles in the soil was observed, with a similar result found in nematode control in soybean roots.

“Unexpectedly, the efficiency levels for both young plants and soil-buried eggs, as well as soybean roots, were sustained at consistent levels even 60 days after the introduction of organomineral fertilizer into the soil. The results, however, went beyond nematode control, as during the trial, factors related to soybean plant physiology, such as fresh root and shoot mass, were benefited, resulting in a productivity increase of 6.54 sc/ha,” commented Cristiane dos Reis.

According to her, the result contributes to strengthening studies initiated in 2021 by Ingal Agrotechnology. Preliminary tests were conducted on the treatment of mineral fertilizers with Organic Bloom, and promising results led to the development of the first organomineral enriched with Organic Bloom in the state of Paraná.

Ingal Agrotechnology’s Commercial Leader for the Southern Region, Estevão Terra Caetano, also established the technology in the cassava market. It is important to note that results have already been obtained in wheat cultivation. The research will continue with various organomineral fertilizer formulations and will be presented at the 35th Symposium of the European Society of Nematologists in April 2024 in Spain.

The results reveal that the addition of Organic Bloom to mineral (NPK) and organomineral fertilizers promotes greater root development and soybean plant growth. In addition to the benefits related to the crop, the combat against the main nematodes in the soil was verified in the first 30 days after emergence.

Treatments with NPK + Organic Bloom (2 L per ton of NPK in the 5-20-20 formulation) and Organomineral + Organic Bloom (2 L per ton of organomineral) achieved control efficiencies of 38.6% and 43.2% on juveniles and 38.5% to 46.5% on Meloidogyne javanica eggs. In the roots, control efficiency ranged from 31.3% for NPK + Organic Bloom to 38.2% for Organomineral + Organic Bloom on juveniles and remained at a similar level on Meloidogyne javanica eggs.

In the 60-day evaluation after emergence, greater control efficiency of Meloidogyne javanica juveniles occurred in the soil, 30.1% and 35.6% for NPK and Organomineral treated with Organic Bloom, respectively. Regarding the roots, the highest percentage of control was observed on nematode eggs, 39.2% in the NPK + Organic Bloom treatment and 32.2% in the Organomineral + Organic Bloom treatment.

Leonardo Gottems