Orange volumes are unchanged with grapefruit and specialty citrus increasing on the October forecast, the USDA reveals
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released its final forecast of the year for the 2023/24 Florida citrus season, with stability in oranges and growth elsewhere.
The state is now expected to produce some 20.5m boxes of oranges, unchanged from the October forecast and, if realised, up 30 per cent on the previous campaign.
Grapefruit production is set to come in at 2.4m boxes, up 500,000 boxes on the previous estimate and 33 per cent higher than 2022/23.
The forecast for tangerines and tangelos was 550,000 boxes, up 50,000 boxes on October, the USDA said.
“Today’s citrus crop forecast is yet another indicator that a more integrated and innovative approach to combating citrus greening as an industry is having an impact,” said Shannon Shepp, executive director of the Florida Department of Citrus.
”While there are still challenges ahead, these forecasts are a foundation for optimism that we now feel across the communities that make up Florida’s iconic citrus industry.
”The Florida Department of Citrus will continue to focus on the recovery of the industry by supporting the expansion of new technologies, tools, and methods for growers to utilise in groves throughout the state,” she noted.
“The passion, dedication, and coordinated efforts of our growers and researchers remain the driving force for securing a brighter economic future for Florida citrus in the sunshine state.”
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