The USDA has raised its April forecast for Florida citrus production, with increases noted across oranges, grapefruit and lemons
The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Statistics Board has released the April forecast for Florida citrus, noting growth in oranges, grapefruit and lemons.
The 2025/26 all-orange estimate has increased 200,000 boxes to 12.2mn boxes, 1 per cent less than production in 2024/25.
It consists of 4.7mn boxes of non-Valencia oranges, where the 200,000 rise occurs, and 7.5mn boxes of Valencia oranges, the USDA revealed.
“Final fruit size is below the average, requiring 257 pieces to fill a 90-pound box,” the USDA stated.
”Final droppage, measured at 46 per cent, is above the average.”
Grapefruit production is up 50,000 boxes to 1.25mn boxes.
The white grapefruit forecast is down 20,000 boxes to 80,000 boxes, while the red grapefruit forecast is up 70,000 boxes to 1.17mn boxes.
Lemons are now pegged at 900,000 boxes, jumping 29 per cent on the January forecast.
The forecast for the state’s tangerines and tangelos is now 450,000 boxes, the USDA outlined.
The new forecast comes after recent comments from Florida Citrus Commission chairman Steve Johnson suggesting the industry will scale back its export operations and focus on the domestic market.
“Keeping a minimal market presence in Japan, Korea and Europe is not a decision made lightly,” he said in an open letter to the industry.
“The bottom line is that we’re seeing a need to move to a more domestic-heavy fresh marketing model to give growers every chance to meet margins.”
