Due to weather that pushed up the grapefruit season in Florida, production will last for about two more weeks. This puts the timing of the season approximately two weeks earlier than usual.Doug Bornique, of the Indian River Citrus League, pointed out that the weather from as far back as 2010 has had an effect on this year's season. The cold weather that December, he said, affected this season's timing.
"The exceptionally cold weather in December of 2010 affected the timetable for the season," he said. "The season started about three to four weeks early, and we're going to finish in about two weeks, which is about two weeks earlier than usual." Because the weather the past winter was not severe, Bornique anticipates next season's timing to be back to normal.
Production for the state is anticipated to reach 20.1 million boxes. That figure represents a slight rise from last year's production of 19.8 million boxes. Fresh shipments are expected to reach 8.1 million boxes, up 400,000 boxes from last year.
Bornique noted that a continuing trend has been more production of red grapefruit opposed to white grapefruit. He cites growing consumer awareness of colored varieties as the chief reason for the swing.
“About 30 years ago, there wasn't much of a choice,” he said. “But now consumers prefer the red; I think it's because when people see fruit they eat with their eyes, so they find red grapefruit attractive.”
White grapefruit production should be 5.6 million boxes, down 300,000 boxes from last year, while colored grapefruit production is pegged at 14.5 million boxes, up 600,000 boxes from last year.