BARTOW, Fla. – The final report of the season issued Friday by the National Agricultural Statistics Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture projected a slight increase over last month in the size of this season’s Florida Orange crop.
The July forecast estimated Florida Orange production for the 2014-15 season at 96.7 million boxes. Florida Grapefruit production was projected at 12.950 million boxes.
According to Florida Department of Citrus Executive Director Doug Ackerman, “This report provides us with some closure on a difficult year for the industry. While we certainly expect continued challenges ahead, we look forward to the opportunities a new season brings and are fully focused on delivering programs that will protect and promote the interests of Florida Citrus.”
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 nearly 62,000 people, provides an annual economic impact of nearly $10.7 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.
