Florida Citrus Forecast: Oranges Steady; Other Crops Down

The March 2018-2019 Florida all-orange forecast released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is 77 million boxes, the same as the February forecast. If realized, this will be 71 percent higher than last season’s hurricane-affected production.

ORANGES
The forecast for non-Valencia production has been lowered by 1 million boxes to 31 million boxes. The row count survey, conducted February 25-26, showed 97 percent of the early-midseason rows and 84 percent of the Navel rows have been harvested.

The forecast for Valencia production has increased by 1 million boxes to 46 million boxes. Current fruit size is below the minimum and is projected to be below the minimum at harvest, requiring 268 pieces to fill a 90-pound box. California Valencia production increased from 9 million to 9.5 million boxes.

GRAPEFRUIT
The forecast for Florida all-grapefruit production decreased 10 percent to 5.4 million boxes. The white grapefruit forecast fell by 200,000 boxes to 800,000 boxes. The red grapefruit forecast is lowered by 400,000 boxes to 4.6 million boxes.

TANGERINES AND TANGELOS
The forecast for tangerines and tangelos dipped 5 percent from 1 million boxes to 950,000 boxes. If realized, this production level will be 27 percent more than last season’s production of 750,000 boxes.

See the USDA/National Agricultural Statistics Service March Citrus Maturity Test Results and Fruit Size Form.

Hear the forecast: