BARTOW – The United States Department of Agriculture increased its projected production of Florida Oranges to 56 million boxes and kept Florida Grapefruit steady at 4.6 million boxes for the 2020-21 season in its February report.
Released Tuesday, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service report predicts a 3.7 percent increase in Florida Orange production to 56 million boxes and held Florida Grapefruit production at 4.6 million boxes. Production of specialty citrus declined by 50,000 boxes to 1.05 million boxes.
“Today’s forecast gives us reason to be cautiously optimistic as we proceed through the remainder of the season,” said Shannon Shepp, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Citrus. “We are hopeful growers will be able to harvest as much of the Valencia crop as possible with minimal drop in the months to come.”
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 more than 37,000 people, provides an annual economic impact of $6.5 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.
