Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

8-1972

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Geography

Major Professor

Robert G. Long

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze geographically the citrus industry of São Paulo, Brazil. The state of São Paulo is the nation's largest and most efficient citrus producer and is the country's only significant exporter of citrus fruit. Since the establishment of the São Paulo processing industry in 1962, Brazil has become one of the world's most important exporters of frozen concentrated orange juice. Research for the study included field trips to the citrus producing regions of São Paulo and work in numerous libraries in Brazil and the United States. Invaluable assistance was rendered by government officials and private growers. Commercial citrus production in São Paulo began in 1869. The industry grew slowly until 1925, when the commencement of exports to Europe stimulated a period of rapid development. During the 1930's citrus production and exports increased significantly, but in 1940 expansion and prosperity were terminated by the Second World War and by tristeza, a tree-killing virus disease. After a decade of research the disease was brought under control and the industry entered another period of growth and prosperity which has continued to the present. The physical environment of São Paulo is almost ideal for the production of citrus. Large portions of the state have level to un-dulating terrain. Precipitation exceeds 1,000 mm in all parts of the state and temperatures in the main producing areas rarely fall below freezing. Occasional drought is the only climatic hazard. Soils in São Paulo generally lack humus and soluble minerals, but drainage in the producing regions is good. Significant spatial changes have occurred in the state's citrus industry during the last four decades. Production originally developed in the southeastern part of the state. A number of factors such as urbanization, rising land values, and climatic advantages have caused the industry to move northwards. Bebedouro is the state's main center for the production of export and processing fruit and Limeira is the most important producing area for the domestic market. Citricultural methods and practices in São Paulo vary considerably. Some growers utilize the best techniques and equipment available, while others provide little care for their groves. Generally, the large commercial farms are well managed and compare favorably with groves in Florida or other parts of the world. Government assistance to the citrus industry has been limited primarily to the prevention and control of disease. Several minor forms of assistance have been the publication of useful information for citrus growers, the collection of statistical data and the promotion of legislation designed to aid the industry. Government help in organizing the industry and in promoting the sale of fruit over-seas has been lacking. The manufacturing of frozen concentrated orange juice began in 1962 when adverse climatic conditions reduced citrus production in Florida, the world's only major juice exporting region at that time. In March, 1970, there were five processing plants in operation in São Paulo. The major product of these plants is frozen orange juice which is exported primarily to Europe and North America. The marketing of fresh fruit for export is handled by several private companies that operate packing houses in the citrus producing regions. All export fruit is graded and packaged carefully. On the other hand, fruit that is sold on the domestic market generally receives little attention. The main consumers of citrus exports from São Paulo are the countries of western Europe, Canada and Argentina. Most of the citrus produced for the domestic market is consumed in the large urban centers such as São Paulo where the buying power of the people is highest. The prospects of the São Paulo citrus industry appear to be good. Nurseries are producing several million seedlings annually. The area devoted to citrus production is increasing by an average of 7,540 hectares per year and the value of the state's orange crop has more than tripled since 1960. It must be realized, however, that the present level of prosperity is based in part on overseas sales of fruit and orange juice--about 44 per cent of the commercial citrus crop is exported. Until the domestic market is able to consume a larger proportion of the state's output of fresh fruit and frozen orange juice, the industry will continue to be influenced by fluctuations in the international market.

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