FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 10, 2026
Contact: Celeste Walls, (863)537-3980
Bartow, Fla. — Florida citrus growers received a full nod of optimism in today’s USDA Citrus Crop utilization report with increases in all varieties for the 2025-2026 crop year. According to the USDA report released at noon July 10, Florida produced 12.92 million boxes of oranges, up 5% from last year’s production.
Florida grapefruit, a particular hot spot for new investment in structures where the trees are grown under protective screens, saw an increase of 50,000 boxes, 1,350,000 total boxes, while specialty fruit like tangerines and mandarins saw a jump of 15% to 460,000 boxes.
“This is a remarkable exclamation point on another challenging season for Florida citrus,” said Shannon Shepp, executive director of the Florida Department of Citrus. “While growers escaped hurricane threats last fall, the winter cold created sustained freezing temperatures and subsequent fruit loss.”
“We are on record as historically providing the juiciest, best tasting citrus in the world for many decades; and we are forging a path for many more highly productive years to come. This moment validates that even in the face of natural challenges, our growers are doing what’s right to preserve and grow the Florida citrus industry,” Shepp said.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature approved historic investment in the state’s 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act to increase research, replanting, promotion and infrastructure stabilization. “Failure is simply not an option for Florida citrus, and for Florida’s top policymakers to stand up in such strong support, essentially saying, ‘Not on my watch,’ is an act for which this industry is so humbly grateful,” Shepp said.
ABOUT THE FDOC: The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) was created in 1935 by the Florida Legislature at the request of Florida citrus growers. The state agency is led by the 11-member Florida Citrus Commission. Florida citrus contributes $6.9 billion to the state’s economy. [email protected].
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