May USDA forecast remains stable for Florida orange production

The United States Department of Agriculture projected no change in Florida Orange production in its May forecast.

Released Wednesday, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service report predicted Florida Orange production to remain at 51.7 million boxes. Florida Grapefruit production decreased 100,000 boxes to 4.2 million. Production of specialty citrus also decreased slightly from 950,000 boxes to 900,000.

“Today’s forecast reflects the ongoing challenges this industry is facing but it does not paint the whole picture,” said Shannon Shepp, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Citrus. “Throughout the pandemic, consumers increasingly turned to Florida Orange Juice for not only its great taste, but the health and wellness benefits every glass provides. Florida Citrus growers are working hard every day to support this demand by exploring new ways to improve production and investing in research to solve citrus greening. We are confident they will prevail, and Florida Citrus will remain available to all who seek it out.”