Florida’s citrus forecast for the 2020-21 season continues to improve but lags behind the previous season.
According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Florida’s all orange forecast was at 52.7 million boxes 2.37 million tons. This is an improvement of 2% from the previous forecast but still a decrease of 22% from last year’s final utilization.
Florida’s early, midseason and Navel varieties are projected at 22.7 million boxes or 1.02 million tons. That’s unchanged from May’s forecast but still is down 23% from last year’s final utilization.
The Florida Valencia orange forecast is projected at 30.0 million boxes or 1.35 million tons. That forecast is up 3% from previous projections but still trails 21% from last season’s final utilization.
Florida grapefruit production is projected at 4.1 million boxes. White grapefruit is reduced to 620,000 boxes. Red grapefruit is lowered to 3.48 million boxes. The grapefruit forecast is down 2% from last month. Harvest is finished for these varieties.
The forecast for Florida tangerines and tangelos is final at 890,000 boxes, a decrease of 1% from the 900,000 boxes reported in May. Last season’s final production was 1.02 million boxes.
The final USDA citrus crop forecast of the 2021-21 season will be broadcast July 12, at approximately noon Eastern/9 a.m. Pacific time. Those interested can hear that broadcast on CitrusIndustry.net.
Thank you to the 2020-21 citrus crop forecast sponsors: Aerobotics, Farm Credit of Florida, Labor Solutions, OrangeRX and TradeMark Nitrogen Corp.