BARTOW, Fla. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its December 2024 citrus crop forecast on Dec. 10, projecting 12 million boxes of oranges, 1.2 million boxes of grapefruit, and 350,000 boxes of tangerines and tangelos for the 2024-2025 harvest season.
This month’s forecast reflects a decrease in production since the USDA’s October 2024 crop estimate, which estimated 15 million boxes of oranges, 1.4 million boxes of grapefruit and 400,000 boxes of tangerines and tangelos for this harvest season. The USDA’s October estimate did not account for the devastating impact of Hurricane Milton, which struck Florida on October 9, 2024.
“Florida’s citrus growers face numerous challenges, from pests and disease to hurricanes, all of which have taken a toll on citrus production. The USDA’s latest forecast reflects the severe impact of Hurricane Milton on our state’s citrus groves,” said Matt Joyner, Executive Vice President and CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual. “Despite the obstacles we face, Florida citrus growers are resilient and remain dedicated to sustaining Florida’s citrus industry. However, Florida’s citrus growers cannot sustain the industry alone. The path forward will require investments in hurricane recovery, as well as continued research and innovation. Our growers are determined to overcome these challenges and continue delivering fresh, wholesome orange juice to consumers worldwide.”
Florida Citrus Mutual is actively advocating in Washington, D.C., for federal hurricane relief dollars to aid Florida citrus growers in rebuilding after Hurricane Milton devastated Florida’s citrus belt in early October 2024.
Florida legislative leaders, including Florida Senate President Ben Albritton, Senator Ed Hooper (Chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations) and Senator Jason Brodeur (Chair of the Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment and General Government), among others, have pledged their support for Florida’s citrus growers. In the upcoming legislative session, beginning March 2025, Florida Citrus Mutual will prioritize advocacy efforts to secure critical resources to address ongoing challenges such as pests, disease, hurricanes and other factors impacting citrus production.
Florida’s citrus production is just a fraction of what it once was in the 1990s. At its peak during the 1997-98 season, the state’s citrus industry produced 244 million boxes of oranges. The USDA’s December forecast for the 2024-2025 harvest season represents just 6.15% of the industry’s peak production. Fostering a robust citrus industry through advocacy, research, funding and proactive initiatives is crucial for the future of Florida citrus.
