The Florida all orange production forecast is down 10 percent from the December predictions. The Non-Valencia orange production remains unchanged, but the Valencia Orange production is down 15 percent, grapefruit production is down 17 percent and tangerine and tangelo production is down 17 percent as well.

All oranges 18.0 million boxes
The 2022-2023 Florida all orange forecast released today by the USDA Agricultural Statistics Board is 18.0 million boxes, down 2.00 million from the December forecast. If realized, this will be 56 percent less than last season’s final production. The forecast consists of 7.00 million boxes of non-Valencia oranges (early, mid-season, and Navel varieties) and 11.0 million boxes of Valencia oranges. A 9-year regression was used for comparison purposes. All references to “average”, “minimum”, and “maximum” refer to the previous 10 seasons, excluding the 2017-2018 season, which was affected by Hurricane Irma. Average fruit per tree includes both regular bloom and the first late bloom.

So during the 2022-2023 season, Florida growers are expected to produce just 18 million boxes. Twenty years ago, they produced more than 200 million. According to the department, January’s Florida citrus forecast is down 10% from the already-dismal forecast in December.

Florida orange harvest from last year was the worst since World War II, and if the new forecast proves true, 2023’s harvest could be even worse. “If realized, this will be 56 percent less than last season’s final production,” the report warns.

FDOC responds to First Citrus Crop Forecast of 2023
Shannon Shepp, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Citrus: “To Florida’s resilient citrus growers, today’s crop forecast is evidence of the trials and complex challenges our industry has faced following Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. These updated figures are also further proof of growers’ strength and fortitude as they continue to face extreme weather, spikes in crop input prices, and the effects of citrus greening season after season.”

“Despite these obstacles, Florida Citrus growers remain determined to repair, replant, and deploy innovative mitigation efforts to combat greening. Florida citrus growers’ commitment to providing high-quality Florida Orange Juice remains strong, and we are confident consumers will be able to enjoy the Original Wellness Drink for years to come.”

Source - https://www.freshplaza.com