BARTOW, Fla. – The National Agricultural Statistics Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture projected an increase for Florida Grapefruit and held Florida Orange production steady in the December forecast.
In an announcement Tuesday, the USDA predicted Florida Orange production to remain at 74 million boxes and Florida Grapefruit production to climb 6.5 percent to 4.9 million boxes for the 2019-20 season. The numbers are a 3 percent increase for oranges and a nearly 9 percent increase for grapefruit over 2018-19.
“Today’s news is welcome for an industry that has had its fair share of ups and downs,” said Shannon Shepp, executive director of the Florida Department of Citrus. “The hard work of Florida Citrus growers is evident in theses numbers and on the tables of families around the world who have come to expect only the best from Florida Citrus. We are proud to be a staple of holiday celebrations near and far.”
About the Florida Department of Citrus
The Florida Department of Citrus is an executive agency of Florida government charged with the marketing, research and regulation of the Florida citrus industry. Its activities are funded by a tax paid by growers on each box of citrus that moves through commercial channels. The industry employs 50,000 people, provides an annual economic impact of $7.2 billion to the state, and contributes hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenues that help support Florida’s schools, roads and health care services. For more information about the Florida Department of Citrus, please visit FloridaCitrus.org.
