BARTOW, Fla – In the second forecast of the 2018-19 season, the National Agriculture Statistics Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture projected slight decreases in both the Florida Orange and Grapefruit crops. The report projects a two million box reduction in the state’s Orange crop to 77 million boxes. The Grapefruit crop was reduced by 300,000 to 6.4 million.
“This is a customary adjustment in a normal season. Growers are still optimistic and enthusiastic for the season ahead,” said Shannon Shepp, executive director of the Florida Department of Citrus.
While the industry is still rebounding from Hurricane Irma and the effects of greening, this latest report shows an industry starting to recover with a 12% Orange increase from the 2016-17 season of 68.7 million boxes.
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 45,000 people, provides an annual economic impact of $8.6 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.
