National Agricultural Statistics Service<\/a>\u00a0of the U.S. Department of Agriculture projected a decline in Florida\u2019s citrus production.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe\u00a0report\u00a0predicts a 5 million box drop in the state\u2019s orange production, to 69 million boxes, along with a slight decrease in grapefruit. If the forecast is realized, Florida Orange production will be down nearly 30 percent over last season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is still early in the season and we have learned that forecasts can be fluid,\u201d said Shannon Shepp, executive director of the FDOC. \u201cHere at the Department, we continue to remain focused on supporting the efforts of our growers through impactful programs that promote Florida Citrus as a healthy and delicious part of everyday life. Florida Citrus is a premium product valued by consumers around the world and this forecast does not change that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The decrease in grapefruit production brings this season\u2019s projection to 11.5 million boxes, according to the report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot unexpected, these numbers reflect what we\u2019ve been hearing from grapefruit growers throughout the state,\u201d said Michael Schadler, director of international marketing at the FDOC. \u201cAs peak season approaches, growers continue to be very happy with the eating quality of this year\u2019s grapefruit crop\u00a0and the Department remains dedicated to promoting their signature product to consumers around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The FDOC, which is funded by box taxes paid by the state\u2019s citrus growers, will absorb a projected loss of $1.3 million in revenue due to the forecast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
About the Florida Department of Citrus<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Florida Department of Citrus is an executive agency of Florida government charged with the marketing, research and regulation of the Florida citrus industry.\u00a0 Its activities are funded by a tax paid by growers on each box of citrus that moves through commercial channels.\u00a0 The industry employs nearly 62,000 people, provides an annual economic impact of nearly $10.7 billion to the state, and contributes hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenues that help support Florida\u2019s schools, roads and health care services. For more information about the Florida Department of Citrus, please visit FloridaCitrus.org.<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The report predicts a 5 million box drop in Florida’s orange production, to 69 million boxes. BARTOW, Fla. \u2013\u00a0In its third forecast of the season, the\u00a0National Agricultural Statistics Service\u00a0of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":210,"template":"","fdoc_news_item_category":[105,80,100,101],"fdoc_citrus_type":[110,107],"fdoc_health_category":[],"class_list":["post-4221","fdoc-news-item","type-fdoc-news-item","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","fdoc_news_item_category-crop-forecasts","fdoc_news_item_category-fdoc","fdoc_news_item_category-industry","fdoc_news_item_category-orange-production","fdoc_citrus_type-grapefruit","fdoc_citrus_type-orange"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t