Outlook for Brazil’s 2023–24 Orange Crop

Josh McGill Brazil, Crop Forecast

The total Brazilian orange crop for 2023–24 is forecast at 410.6 million 40.8-kilogram boxes, a decrease of 1.1% from last season, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) reported recently. The commercial area of the state of São Paulo and the western part of Minas Gerais should produce 309 million boxes, a decrease of 1.55% from last …

Connect and Learn at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo

Josh McGill Citrus Expo, Education, Tip of the Week

By Jamie D. Burrow and Ruth Borger The Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo has always been a time for the industry to gather, learn and reminiscence. During the Expo at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa on Aug. 16–17, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Extension booth is in a new location near the …

A Guide to Safe, Effective Pesticide Use

Josh McGill CEU, Pesticides

By Danielle S. Williams Editor’s note: This article grants one continuing education unit (CEU) in the Core category toward the renewal of a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services restricted-use pesticide license when the accompanying test is submitted and approved. Pesticides are vital tools in agriculture that help protect crops from pests and diseases. Pesticide use must be managed …

Japanese Agency Tours Florida Citrus Industry

Josh McGill Florida Department of Citrus, Grapefruit, International

Yamano & Associates, Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) partner agency in Japan for over 40 years, recently concluded an educational tour in Florida, continuing its efforts to explore and engage with key individuals in the Florida citrus industry. The two-day tour provided the agency with a unique opportunity to closely observe the operations and processes involved in the Florida citrus …

Peruvian Mandarin/Tangerine Production to Dip

Josh McGill Crop Forecast, International

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) recently forecast Peruvian mandarin/tangerine production in 2022–23 at 550,000 metric tons (MT), slightly lower than the previous year’s 570,000 MT. The decrease can be attributed to removal of low-yield trees, a delayed season, lower harvests of early-season varieties and a warmer than expected fall season. ACREAGEPeru’s mandarin/tangerine planted area is …

Accelerating Citrus Breeding Efforts

Josh McGill Breeding

By John M. Chater Professors Jude Grosser and Fred Gmitter have been breeding improved citrus varieties at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) for decades. Over time, they have released several of their advanced selections. Many of these selections are sweet oranges. There is a subset of these creations …

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All In For Citrus Podcast, July 2023

Josh McGill All In For Citrus Podcast, Citrus Expo

The Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo is fast approaching, scheduled for Aug. 16–17 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. The event is the subject of the July All In For Citrus podcast. Michael Rogers, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center, previews the presentation he will be giving …

European Mandarin Production Declines

Josh McGill Crop Forecast, International, Mandarins

European Union (EU) mandarin production in 2022–23 is forecast at 3 million metric tons (MMT), down almost 4% from the prior season, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) recently reported. The shortage in EU mandarin production this year is mainly the result of anticipated decreases in Spain, EU’s major mandarin producer. Spain and Italy are respectively …

USDA to Buy Fresh Grapefruit for Food Programs

Josh McGill Grapefruit

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced plans to purchase fresh grapefruit for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs. The purpose is to encourage the continued domestic consumption of these products by diverting them from the normal channels of trade and commerce. USDA said ample availability of fresh grapefruit is projected to increase due to slower movement in …

European Union Citrus Report on Production, War Impact

Josh McGill Crop Forecast, International

A new report on European Union (EU) citrus by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) includes a broad overview of the continent’s industry. Production expectations, the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, acreage and trade are addressed in the report. PRODUCTION REDUCTIONTotal European Union (EU) citrus production in 2022–23 is projected to total 10.4 million metric …

Citrus Grower Forum Focused on New Peptide Product

Josh McGill HLB Management, Peptides

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Citrus Research and Education Center hosted a grower forum in mid-June. An educational program during the event provided growers with information on a new HLB therapy working its way through regulatory approvals. The peptide-based product will go by the name Aura Citrus and will be marketed by Nutrien once it …

Chilean Citrus Industry Suffers Freeze Damage

Josh McGill freeze, International

The president of Fedefruta (Federation of Chilean Fruit Producers), Jorge Valenzuela Trebilcock, is receiving testimony from farmers affected by damaging frosts. The frosts have spread through various productive areas of fruit and vegetables and have lasted much longer than normal. They have caused damage that is not yet quantifiable to avocados, lemons, oranges, tangerines and avocados. “The frosts have been …

Mandarin Production Set to Soar in Chile

Josh McGill Crop Forecast, International, Mandarins

In 2022–23, mandarin production in Chile is projected to increase by 26.5% and total 215,000 metric tons (MT), the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) reported on June 2. The increase is driven by a rise in yields and new orchards reaching production. Mandarins include clementines and tangerines. Yields this year recovered as rainfall reached more normal …

House Passes Block Grant Assistance Act

Tacy Callies hurricane, Legislative

Rep. Scott Franklin (FL-18) announced the House of Representatives passed the Block Grant Assistance Act on June 12. This critical bill provides needed authority for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue block grants to growers devastated by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. It now heads to the Senate for consideration. Those supporting the Block Grant Assistance Act include Florida …

Greater Lemon Production in Chile

Josh McGill Crop Forecast, International, lemons

Lemon production in Chile is expected to increase by 26.4% in 2022–23 and total 172,000 metric tons (MT), the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) reported. Favorable climatic conditions and an increase in water supplies in the Coquimbo region pushed up lemon yields, and thus overall production. ACREAGEIn 2022–23, total area planted in Chile reached 8,080 hectares, …

Chilean Orange Production to Climb

Josh McGill Crop Forecast, International

Orange production in Chile will increase by 6.1% and total 174,000 metric tons (MT) in 2022–23, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) estimated recently. Yields are up due to increased rainfall and no damage from frost. ACREAGEIn 2022–23, orange area planted in Chile totaled 6,362 hectares, unchanged from 2021–22. The total orange area planted has remained …

PIECES OF THE PAST: A Granddaughter’s Recollections

Josh McGill Pieces of the Past

By Brenda Eubanks Burnette Editor’s note: Last month’s Pieces of the Past featured Edward Postell Porcher, one of the original Florida Citrus Hall of Fame inductees. This month, his granddaughter shares more memories about him and the citrus industry. Edward Postell Porcher’s granddaughter, Norris Porcher Andrews, was interviewed by Nancy Yasecko at the Porcher House in 1994 for the Brevard …

U.S. Citrus Demand Exceeds Supply

Josh McGill Export/Import, Production

While the U.S. domestic supply of citrus has declined tremendously, imports have increased substantially. That, says American Farm Bureau Federation economist Daniel Munch, is a telltale sign that consumer demand for citrus in the United States is now greater than domestic production capacity. “In other words, we’ve become partially reliant on other nations for citrus products,” Munch writes in U.S. …