The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has unveiled its preliminary outlook for the 2024-25 citrus harvest, indicating a challenging period ahead for Florida's citrus producers. According to the USDA, the forecast anticipates the production of 15 million boxes of oranges, 1.4 million boxes of grapefruit, and 200,000 boxes of tangerines and tangelos. This projection places orange output in Florida nearly 3 million boxes below the prior season's figures, continuing a trend of diminished yields.
Florida Citrus Mutual has voiced concerns over the forecast, highlighting the need for support to reverse the downward trajectory. "The forecast for the season is extremely discouraging," stated Matt Joyner, Executive Vice President and CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual. The organization underscored the impact of Hurricane Milton and the ongoing struggle against citrus greening, noting a brief period of optimism for grove health prior to the storm's arrival.
Reflecting on the industry's peak in the late 1990s, when production reached 244 million boxes of oranges, the current forecast represents a mere fraction of past output. The release from Florida Citrus Mutual emphasizes the importance of advocacy and research in revitalizing the sector. Despite the challenges posed by recent hurricanes and citrus greening, Joyner affirmed the resilience of Florida's citrus growers and the necessity of support to facilitate recovery and growth.
Source: Florida Politics