National Agricultural Statistics Service<\/a>\u00a0of the U.S. Department of Agriculture projected a slight increase in Florida\u2019s orange production.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe\u00a0report\u00a0predicts a nearly 3 percent increase in the state\u2019s orange production, to 72 million boxes, while grapefruit held steady at 9.6 million boxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Shannon Shepp, executive director of the Florida Department of Citrus: \u201cThis is great news. We are encouraged by today\u2019s estimate as it reflects the continued hard work and dedication of our Florida Citrus growers in the face of ongoing challenges. We remain dedicated to promoting the premium nature and quality of Florida Citrus to consumers around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The FDOC, which is partially funded by box taxes paid by the state\u2019s citrus growers, serves as the chief marketing and promotion arm for the industry.<\/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>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The USDA projects 72 million oranges and 9.6 million grapefruit BARTOW, Fla.\u00a0\u2013\u00a0In the second forecast of the 2016-17 season, the\u00a0National Agricultural Statistics Service\u00a0of the U.S. Department of Agriculture projected a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":180,"template":"","fdoc_news_item_category":[105],"fdoc_citrus_type":[107,108],"fdoc_health_category":[],"class_list":["post-4238","fdoc-news-item","type-fdoc-news-item","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","fdoc_news_item_category-crop-forecasts","fdoc_citrus_type-orange","fdoc_citrus_type-orange-juice"],"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