BARTOW, Fla. – The latest U.S. Department of Agriculture crop forecast projected a slight decrease in the production of Florida Oranges and Grapefruit.
Released Tuesday, the report estimates Florida Orange production for the 2018-19 season at 71.4 million boxes. This represents a 1 million box decrease in the Florida Valencia crop. Florida Grapefruit production also decreased by 60,000 boxes of red grapefruit and 10,000 boxes of white grapefruit to 4.51 million boxes.
“Considering steep fluctuations in previous seasons, getting through to this part of the season with relatively stable numbers is a win,” said Shannon Shepp, executive director of the Florida Department of Citrus.
The numbers remain an increase from the previous season, devastated by Hurricane Irma, when production dropped to 45.05 million boxes of Florida Oranges and 3.88 million boxes of Florida Grapefruit.
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.
