In December, the USDA released a production forecast report for Florida citrus that showed a devastating decline in the production of oranges. A month later, the situation for oranges remains unchanged, but the numbers now show a drop for the grapefruit and tangerine crops.
Oranges still down 33 percent from previous season
Total Florida orange production is expected to remain at 69 million boxes with non-Valencia oranges expected to represent 36 million boxes and Valencia oranges 33 million boxes respectively. With this forecast number, Valencia orange production is still down one third compared to last year’s season.
Highest Valencia dropping rate in half a century
Fruit sizing of non-Valencia (early, midseason, Navel and Temple) oranges is slightly above the minimum, requiring 284 pieces of fruit to fill a 90-pound box. Fruit droppage is high across all orange varieties. It is at 32 percent for the non-Valencias and for Valencia oranges, droppage is expected to be the highest in more than 50 years.
Grapefruit down 700,000 boxes
Grapefruit production is lowered 6 percent from last month and down to 10.8 million boxes. Red grapefruit came down 500,000 boxes and white grapefruit 200,000. Droppage for both red as well as white grapefruit varieties is expected to be above the maximum. Tangerine production forecast is lowered from 1.7 to 1.4 million boxes. Both grapefruit and tangerine droppage are above the maximum.
Click here for the full report.
Source: NASS USDA, 2016