It was expected that the harvest would amount to 62,25 million boxes or 2,57 million tons, an 86 year low and a decline of 23% on the previous season. The USDA reported that this would be less than 20% of the total output achieved during the record 1997/98 season.
Output had generally been in decline since its peak 25 years ago; however, this year’s losses in Florida, the top orange producer in the US, had been extremely heavy. This has driven up imports of both oranges and orange juice, although the US remains a net exporter of the fresh fruit. The loss in production has notably reduced the US’s ranking in the global market.
Florida previously accounted for more than 80% of total annual orange production in the US, but this season the state was expected to produce 16,1 million boxes, down 61% year on year (y/y).
The decline in Florida’s output could be ascribed to the widespread proliferation of citrus greening disease across the state for more than 10 years. However, the sharp fall in the state’s orange crop this season was largely due to severe damage caused by hurricanes Ian and Nicole during the previous autumn, Braun explained.
Source: farmersweekly.co.za
