Forecast for Florida Citrus Production

The USDA Agricultural Statistics Service in cooperation with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services released Citrus Forecast 2020-2021.

Warmer temperatures led to the bloom period in early March. Most areas were drier than usual for the time of year. Blooming in late March - early April was generally uniform. Most of May, the citrus region showed moderate to severe drought. Average rainfall in June brought back normal growing conditions. Temperatures in July and August were warmer than usual and rainfall was about average. By the end of September, citrus maturity was normal, groves looked good, and the harvest of early tangerines and early oranges has begun.

The 2020-2021 Florida all orange forecast released by the USDA Agricultural Statistics Board is 57.0 million boxes (90 pound/40,8kg), down 15 percent from last season’s final production.

The total forecast includes 23.0 million boxes (90 pound/40,8kg)of non-Valencia oranges (early, midseason, and Navel varieties), 22 percent less than last season’s production. The Navel orange forecast is 700,000 boxes. The Valencia forecast of 34.0 million boxes is 10 percent lower than last season’s production.

The 2020-2021 Florida forecast of all grapefruit production is 4.50 million boxes (90 pound/40,8kg), 7 percent less than last season. The red grapefruit production is forecasted at 3.80 million boxes, down 6 percent from the previous season, and the white grapefruit production of 700,000 boxes, 11 percent less than last season’s production.

The forecast for tangerine and tangelos is 1.10 million boxes (90 pound/40,8kg), 8 percent more than last season. This forecast number includes all certified tangerine and tangelo varieties.

Whitney Lett, Development Representative of Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, comments that Florida growers export to Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, Asia. If interested to buy Florida grown products contact exporting@fdacs.gov