USDA Estimate Remains at 11.6 Million Boxes of Oranges
BARTOW, Fla. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its revised citrus crop estimate for April 2025, projecting 11.6 million boxes of oranges, 1.3 million boxes of grapefruit and 400,000 boxes of tangerines and tangelos for the 2024-2025 harvest season.
The forecast shows a steady production of oranges and an increase in the production of grapefruits, tangerines and tangelos since the March 2025 citrus crop estimate, which estimated 11.6 million boxes of oranges, 1.2 million boxes of grapefruit and 350,000 boxes of tangerines and tangelos.
“The stable citrus crop estimate really demonstrates the resilience Florida citrus growers have shown in recent years. Despite devastating storms and the ongoing battle with citrus greening, our growers continue to persevere, and treatments and therapies are helping citrus trees recover,” said Matt Joyner, CEO at Florida Citrus Mutual. “We are grateful to Senate President Ben Albritton and his vision for making citrus great again through record investments in research and replanting for the industry’s long-term sustainability.”
On March 26, President Albritton announced a proposal to allocate $200 million for the Florida citrus industry in the 2025-2026 state fiscal budget, with $190 million proposed for field trials to support grove management, therapeutic tools, new plantings and the rehabilitation of existing trees. Of the $190 million proposed to bolster the state’s citrus industry, a minimum of $125 million would support the acquisition and planting of trees. Additionally, the proposal includes $10 million for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) to provide 80% cost-share funding to citrus packinghouses for equipment refurbishment, the adoption of new technology or purchasing new equipment.
“To those growers who are left in the business, hear me when I say, you are not forgotten, you are not alone, and the Florida Senate is running to this fight,” President Albritton said in the proposal. “Research and new technologies offer a renewed hope for the future of citrus. Florida will lead the way in pursuing these opportunities. We’re on the edge of something special. Florida Citrus is making a comeback, one tree at a time.”
The Florida Senate and House have proposed differing budget allocations for the state’s citrus industry. The two chambers are expected to reconcile the differences in their proposed budgets to determine a 2025-26 state fiscal year budget in the coming weeks. The outcome will determine the funding for citrus initiatives, including research, grove management and replanting efforts.
— provided by Florida Citrus Mutual