Bartow, Fla – In the May USDA forecast of the 2022 – 2023 citrus season, the USDA projected production at 15.7 million boxes of Florida Oranges, 1.8 million boxes of Florida Grapefruit, and 500,000 boxes of Florida Tangerines and Tangelos. The Florida Department of Citrus released the following statement in response to the USDA Citrus Crop Forecast for the month of May:
“Despite citrus growers facing the perfect storm over the last several years of greening, extreme weather, and inflation, their grit and determination persist along with the promise of better days for Florida citrus,” said Shannon Shepp, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Citrus. “Current crop forecast numbers serve as a testament to the impact of our industry’s hardships but cannot convey the future effects of cutting-edge research. Across the state, dedicated growers and leading scientists are developing and deploying emerging technologies and tactics to combat citrus greening, boost production, and ensure Florida’s historic citrus industry is here to stay for generations to come.”
About the Florida Department of Citrus
The Florida Department of Citrus is an executive agency of the 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 more than 33,000 people, provides an annual economic impact of $6.935 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, visit FloridaCitrus.org/newsroom.
