It’s likely not a surprise that supplies of Florida citrus are down this season. “We came into the season knowing supplies were going to be down,” says Steven Callaham of the Dundee Citrus Growers. “The industry is battling citrus greening and we suffered some freeze damage last year that really impacted this year’s crop. We’ve also had two freezes and two hurricanes and between all of that, supply will be down this whole season.”
Supplies continue to be steady on red grapefruit and Dundee Citrus is transitioning into Valencia oranges next week.
Supplies do continue to be steady on red grapefruit and Dundee Citrus is transitioning into Valencia oranges next week. It’s also mid-season into its tangerines. “We have fruit available but it’s not as much as you want it to be given all the weather events we’ve experienced over the past 12 months. The fruit volume for the industry as a whole is down substantially this year,” says Callaham. Of the varieties, he notes that the earlier-season varieties, such as round oranges, are down more than their later-season counterparts.
As for demand, it exceeds supply and pricing has been somewhat stable with no extreme fluctuations.
Season ending as usual
Yet, the season is anticipated to end closer to historical norms. “Valencias will run through late May this year, so a little earlier end than normal. Grapefruit typically finishes in late March and tangerines typically last to mid-February,” says Callaham.
Dundee Citrus, is continuing to develop citrus under protective screen (CUPS groves).
The industry also looks towards regrouping for the next season. “We’ll be back. The damage we saw from the hurricane this year is regional and varies in degree of severity. There are certain parts of the state that definitely had some tree damage. But for the most part, it was heavy crop damage for the season,” he says.
As for Dundee Citrus, it will continue to develop its citrus under protective screen (CUPS groves). “We’ll continue to expand that acreage and the trees are getting a year older and the boxes per acre will increase. Fruit quality is excellent coming out of our CUPS structures,” he says. “We can definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel.
For more information:
Steven Callaham
Dundee Citrus Growers
Tel: +1 (863) 439-1574
info@dun-d.com
http://dun-d.com/