Brazil - Paraná government extends phytosanitary emergency to combat greening once again

Date:12-19-2024

Paraná State Government - Brazil has extended the phytosanitary emergency status for combating greening, one of the main pests affecting citrus trees worldwide, for another 180 days. 

The goal is to continue to have greater mobility and the ability to act more quickly and effectively in controlling the disease. Governor Carlos Massa Ratinho Junior signed Decree 8,365/2024 this Tuesday, December 17.

Since the most effective actions to control greening or HLB (Huanglongbing) and its main vector, the psyllid Diaphorina citri, began about two years ago, almost 280,000 citrus and ornamental plants, such as myrtle, have been eradicated in the Northwest and North regions of the State. The eradication of diseased plants, the planting of healthy seedlings from registered nurseries, and the efficient control of insect vectors with biological and chemical products are some of the recommended practices for dealing with this disease.

The government, through the State Secretariat of Agriculture and Supply (Seab), the Agricultural Defense Agency of Paraná (Adapar), and the Rural Development Institute of Paraná (IDR-Paraná), carries out the actions, together with citrus producers, the industrial sector, agricultural research companies, cooperatives, and city halls in the producing regions.

Recently, in a new stage of the task force against greening, more than 200 infected plants were eradicated in the Northwest. Conducted in early November, the operation involved 30 Adapar employees and covered the municipalities of Altônia, Cruzeiro do Oeste, Maria Helena, Iporã, São Jorge do Patrocínio, Perobal, Cafezal do Sul and Umuarama.

This year, Technical Chamber meetings were also held in the Northwest region, allowing dialogue between specialists and producers to discuss management and control measures. In addition, the topic was highlighted at agricultural fairs and technical events held in the state, mainly in the North and Northwest regions. Intensive monitoring of orchards and preventive actions were also part of the efforts of agricultural defense to preserve the health and competitiveness of Paraná's citrus industry.

VBP - Data from the Rural Economy Department (Deral) of Seab show that citrus farming is the most representative branch of Paraná's fruit industry. Data from the Gross Production Value (VBP) for 2023 indicate that the main citrus fruits - oranges, tangerines, and lemons - were grown on 29,300 hectares in the state. Oranges are the highlight, with 20,800 hectares, followed by tangerines (7,100 hectares) and lemons (1,300 hectares).

Citrus production totaled 860,900 tons in 2023 - 731,600 tons of oranges, 94,400 tons of tangerines, and 34,700 tons of lemons. In monetary income, oranges were responsible for R$752 million, tangerines had a GVP of R$177.4 million, and lemons were valued at R$55.9 million.