Florida’s beleaguered citrus industry received a sliver of positive news Tuesday as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released updated production estimates, showing a marginal increase for the current growing season.
While the figures still represent a historically low harvest, the USDA report indicates a slight uptick in expected yields, offering a glimmer of hope to struggling growers.
The USDA now projects Florida will produce enough oranges to fill 11.6 million 90-pound boxes, a slight improvement from the 11.5 million box forecast released in February. Similarly, grapefruit production estimates rose to 1.2 million boxes, up from the previous 1.1 million.
READ: Florida Approves Preservation Of 6,500 Acres Of Agricultural Land, Bolstering Rural Heritage
Estimates for lemons (600,000 boxes) and tangerines/mandarins (350,000 boxes) remained unchanged from February.
Despite these modest increases, the overall forecast is still 18 percent lower than the initial estimate released in October, and nearly 32 percent below the 2023-2024 yield, which itself marked a nine-decade low.
Florida’s citrus industry has been grappling with a multitude of challenges, including the devastating citrus greening disease, which has decimated groves across the state. In addition, hurricanes have inflicted significant damage, further compounding the industry’s woes.
READ: Florida’s Citrus Industry Faces Further Decline As Production Forecast Drops Again
Growers also face increasing pressure from land development, which is encroaching on citrus-growing regions.
While the slight increase in production estimates offers a small measure of relief, the industry continues to face an uphill battle in its efforts to recover and thrive.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
