BARTOW – Florida Orange production is projected to hit more than 40 million boxes in the 2021-22 season, according to the USDA. This represents a 2 million box increase since the April forecast.
Released Thursday, the May report projects 40.2 million boxes of Florida Oranges. Florida Grapefruit production is projected to decrease slightly to 3.4 million boxes while Florida Specialty Citrus is expected to remain at 800,000 boxes.
“Given everything this industry has been through over the past several years, particularly with the weather, 40 million boxes of oranges is something to be proud of. We are nowhere near where we once were, but it is clear there is a vast number of dedicated people working together to figure out what recovery looks like. Florida Citrus remains a vital and significant player in the State’s economy and that won’t change any time soon,” said Shannon Shepp, executive director of the Florida Department of Citrus.
About the Florida Department of Citrus
The Florida Department of Citrus is an executive agency of the 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 33,000 people, provides an annual economic impact of $6.762 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, visit FloridaCitrus.org/newsroom.
