USDA citrus estimate remains the same
Early-mid varieties stayed at 47 million boxes while Valencia oranges held steady at 55 million boxes.
"Well the positive news is the orange crop estimate remained stable and that's a good thing," said Michael W. Sparks, executive VP/CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual. "We still have more than two months left in the season so let's hope our late varieties continue to hold up and we don't lose any more fruit."
"Even in these challenging times Florida growers produce the best citrus in the world."
The USDA makes its initial estimate in October of each year and revises it monthly as the crop takes shape until the end of the season in July.
During the 2013-2014 season, Florida produced 104 million boxes of oranges. Click here for the complete USDA estimate.
The USDA's estimate of the 2014-2015 Florida grapefruit crop dropped from 15 million boxes to 13 million boxes. Specialty citrus decreased slightly to 3 million boxes. The yield for frozen concentrate orange juice (FCOJ) dipped to 1.54 gallons per 90-pound box.
For more information:
Andrew Meadows
Florida Citrus Mutual
Tel: +1 (863) 682-1111
www.flcitrusmutual.com