BARTOW, Fla. – Florida Orange and Grapefruit production decreased in the May U.S. Department of Agriculture crop forecast.
Released Friday, the report projects Florida Orange production for the 2018-19 season at 72.4 million boxes, a 4.1 million box decrease over the previous month. Florida Grapefruit production decreased 320,000 boxes to 4.58 million boxes.
“Again, we see that we are not out of the woods yet in terms of recovery,” said Shannon Shepp, executive director of the Florida Department of Citrus. “As growers continue to work toward increased productivity, we continue to support their efforts through the marketing of delicious and nutritious Florida 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 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.
