Florida Orange Forecast Falls Again

Tacy Callies Crop Forecast, Florida

Florida’s projected 2021–22 orange crop was reduced by 1 million boxes, to 43.5 million boxes, in the February citrus crop forecast from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service. The forecast was released Feb. 9. The entire orange reduction was in the to-be-harvested Valencia crop, which was reduced 4% to 26 million boxes. The forecast for non-Valencia oranges was unchanged at 17.5 million boxes.

orange

If the forecast is realized, Florida’s orange production will be 18% less than last season. The row count survey that the forecast is based on was conducted Jan. 25–26, a few days before a freeze did some expected damage to the Florida industry. 

The forecast indicated that the Florida non-Valencia harvest is 87% completed. A report on the state’s Valencia crop said fruit size is below the minimum and is projected to be below the minimum at harvest. Current Valencia droppage is above average and projected to be above average at harvest.

The forecasts for Florida grapefruit and tangerines/tangelos were unchanged at 4.1 million boxes and 800,000 boxes, respectively. White grapefruit final size is above average, while red grapefruit final size is below average. Drop for both white and red grapefruit is below average.

The projections for all California and Texas citrus production were unchanged from the January forecast. 

Read the USDA February citrus crop forecast report.

Hear the U.S. citrus crop forecast:

Hear more details on the forecast:

The next USDA citrus crop forecast is scheduled for March 9 at approximately 12 noon Eastern/9 a.m. Pacific time. Hear the broadcast at CitrusIndustry.net.

Thank you to the 2021-22 citrus crop forecast sponsors: Aerobotics, Farm Credit of Florida and OrangeRX.

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service

Share this Post

Sponsored Content