Photo: Florida Department of Citrus
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Report from Florida Dept. of Citrus
Florida orange production holds steady in December forecast
The USDA forecasts 72 million boxes of Florida oranges, 9.3 million boxes Florida grapefruit
BARTOW, Fla. – In its December forecast, the National Agricultural Statistics Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture projected the Florida Orange crop will hold steady at 72 million boxes for the 2016-17 season.
The report predicts a slight decrease in the state’s grapefruit production, down 3 percent to 9.3 million boxes.
According to Shannon Shepp, executive director of the Florida Department of Citrus: “In the past couple of seasons we’ve seen dramatic drops in the estimate during the early months following the October forecast. The fact that we remain stable is a positive sign for growers and consumers as we continue to provide the world’s best 100 percent orange juice.”
The FDOC, which is partially funded by box taxes paid by the state’s citrus growers, serves as the chief marketing and promotion arm for the industry.
About the Florida Department of Citrus
The Florida Department of Citrus is an executive agency of Florida government charged with the marketing, research and regulation of the Florida citrus industry. Its activities are funded by a tax paid by growers on each box of citrus that moves through commercial channels. The industry employs nearly 62,000 people, provides an annual economic impact of nearly $10.7 billion to the state, and contributes hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenues that help support Florida’s schools, roads and health care services. For more information about the Florida Department of Citrus, please visit FloridaCitrus.org.
