BARTOW, Fla. – In the first forecast of the 2020-21 citrus season, the United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service projects production at 57 million boxes of Florida Oranges and 4.5 million boxes of Florida Grapefruit.
Released Friday, these numbers reflect a 15 percent decrease in Florida Orange production and 7 percent decrease in Florida Grapefruit production over the 2019-20 season. However, production of specialty citrus is expected to be up slightly this season over last with 1.1 million boxes forecasted.
“Florida Citrus growers are finding success through innovative mitigation efforts to fight citrus greening in their groves. Today’s forecast is more likely reflective of factors beyond grower control typical of the agricultural growth cycle than any one issue,” said Shannon Shepp, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Citrus. “While the first forecast of the season serves as a starting point, we recognize that it does not necessarily indicate where we will end up. We are optimistic about the conditions of groves, preparations for the coming season’s crop and continued efforts to combat greening. Florida growers continue to produce the best tasting orange juice in the world, and we are confident consumers can continue to turn to the Original Wellness Drink as we head into the fall and winter seasons.”
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.
