BARTOW, Fla. – The United States Department of Agriculture projected an increase of a million boxes in Florida Orange production for the June forecast of the 2020-21 season.
Released Thursday, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service report predicted Florida Orange production increased 2% from 51.7 million boxes to 52.7 million. Florida Grapefruit production decreased 100,000 boxes to 4.1 million. Production of specialty citrus decreased slightly from 900,000 boxes to 890,000.
“While this season has been filled with ups and downs, we are encouraged by the opportunities ahead,” said Shannon Shepp, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Citrus. “This week, Gov. DeSantis further recognized the important role Florida Citrus plays in our state in the signing of a budget that provides $27.7 million in support of citrus, including $17 million for marketing. We are thankful to the Governor and state leaders in the Senate and the House who believe in Florida Citrus, and are committed to preserving the future of our state’s signature crop. There is work to do, but I know of no other industry more resilient, hardworking, or better suited for the job than ours.”
The USDA will release its final forecast for the season on July 12.
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 33,000 people, provides an annual economic impact of $6.762 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/newsroom.
