Results of the annual Commercial Citrus Inventory show total citrus acreage is 375,302 acres, down 8 percent from the last survey. The net loss of 32,046 acres is 19,942 acres more than what was lost the previous season. New plantings at 7,980 acres are down from the previous season. All citrus trees, at 55.8 million, are down 7 percent from the previous season.
Of the 24 published counties included in the survey, 23 recorded decreases in acreage while 1 county (Brevard) showed an increase. Hendry County lost the most acreage, down 6,640 acres from the previous season. DeSoto County records the most citrus acres at 64,641 acres.
Orange acreage is now at 343,659 acres, down 8 percent from the previous season. Valencia acreage accounts for 60 percent of the total orange acreage, non-Valencia acreage represents 38 percent, and the remaining orange acreage is unidentified. Grapefruit acreage is now at 17,997 acres, down 10 percent from the previous season. White grapefruit (including seedy) is 12 percent of the total with 2,091 acres, while red grapefruit is 87 percent of the total with 15,667 acres. The remaining 1 percent is unidentified.
Specialty fruit acreage, at 13,646 acres, is down 10 percent from the previous season. Tangerines and tangelos account for 60 percent of the specialty fruit, with 8,205 acres. The remaining acreage includes true lemons and other citrus acreage, with a total of 5,441 acres, or 40 percent.
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Source: nass.usda.gov