MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazil orange shipments to EU suspended after samples of black spot fungus found

Orange juice prices have tumbled 37% this year because of higher production in Florida

Orange shipments from Brazil to the European Union were suspended after EU officials found samples with black spot fungus, a Brazilian government official said.

Brazil, the world’s largest producer, halted the shipments on Oct. 24 after the EU reported that six containers of oranges were found with traces of the fungus, according to Cosam Coutinho, director of vegetable sanitation at the Agriculture Ministry.

“We will have technical meetings with EU representatives to show our progress in dealing with the fungus before March, when the exports resume,” Coutinho said.

Orange juice for January delivery fell 1% to settle at 1.061 a pound at ICE Futures US in New York. The price has tumbled 37% this year amid slowing demand in the US and higher production in Florida, the world’s second- biggest citrus grower.

Brazil’s orange sales to the EU usually cease by November, when European import tariffs for the fruit are raised to encourage purchases from local suppliers, making exports less attractive, Coutinho said. The fungus was found in six of 300 containers shipped to the EU, Coutinho revealed.