Citrus
“We’re optimistic, but we’re also realistic.”
— Rick Kress, president, Southern Gardens Citrus
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Press Release
Statement by Commissioner Putnam on Final Citrus Crop Forecast for 2014-2015 Season
Following the release of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's final citrus crop forecast for the 2014-2015 season, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam released this statement:
“The 2014-2015 citrus season represents a new low for Florida's citrus industry and our state's signature crop. We cannot overstate the challenges facing Florida citrus, but we will continue to fight to save the industry, its more than $10.7 billion economic impact and the more than 64,000 jobs it supports.”
The USDA's final forecast of 96.7 million boxes of oranges, weighing 90 pounds each, is down from the 104 million boxes produced last year. This represents a decline of more than 60 percent since the peak of citrus production at 244 million boxes during the 1997-98 season.
