Florida orange production was projected to hold steady with previous estimates while grapefruit production dipped slightly in the March US Department of Agriculture (USDA) crop forecast.
According to the latest USDA estimate, both figures remain well above 2017/18 season levels.
Released Friday, the report projects Florida orange production for the 2018/19 season at 77m boxes, while the state's grapefruit production is estimated to decrease by 600,000 boxes to 5.4m.
'The drop in the grapefruit crop serves as a lasting reminder of the damage inflicted by Hurricane Irma,' said Shannon Shepp, executive director of the Florida Department of Citrus. 'But, as we continue to work toward recovery, both from hurricanes and disease, we are encouraged by a steady and stable Florida orange crop. In the spirit of spring, we look forward to what the future holds for this resilient industry and the growers who make it possible.'
The numbers remain an increase from the previous season, devastated by Hurricane Irma, when production dropped to 44.95m boxes of oranges and 3.88m boxes of grapefruit.
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