provided by FLORIDA CITRUS MUTUAL
BARTOW, FLA. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its final revised crop estimate today of 17.96 million boxes of oranges for the 2023-2024 season, an increase of 100,000 boxes from last month’s estimate. Additionally, the USDA forecasted 1.79 million boxes of grapefruit and 450,000 boxes of tangerines and tangelos.
“As we look ahead, the future of Florida citrus holds great promise,” said Matt Joyner, executive vice president and CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual. “For generations, Florida citrus growers have tackled challenges head-on, turning obstacles into opportunities for innovation – all to ensure a steady supply of fresh Florida orange juice for consumers nationwide. Now that we have tools proving effective at combatting citrus greening, we are hopeful that the coming year will bring continued improvements in the health of Florida citrus trees, production levels and the resiliency of our industry.”
Florida’s 2024-2025 fiscal year began July 1, and with that comes more than $47 million in funding from the Florida Legislature for research, treatments and other advancements to support the great American comeback of Florida’s citrus industry.
At its peak during the 1997-98 season, the citrus industry produced 244 million boxes of oranges. The USDA’s July revised forecast for the 2023-2024 harvest season represents just 7.3% of the industry’s peak production. Fostering a robust citrus industry through advocacy, research, funding and proactive initiatives is crucial for fruitful seasons ahead.