In a recap summary of the 2022-23 U.S. season, the USDA reported that U.S. citrus fresh-market production was up over the previous season.
U.S. citrus production for the fresh market reached 3 million tons in 2022-23, up 10% from the previous season, with larger fresh-market crops of oranges (up 2%), grapefruit (up 5%), lemons (up 8%) and tangerines (up 29%).
The USDA said the citrus crop was valued at $2.6 billion in 2022-23, down 13.5% from the 2021-22 season, or a decrease in real value of 16%, after adjusting for inflation, according to the report.
Orange volume up
The marketing year for oranges in the U.S. begins in November of the preceding year and lasts through October of the current year, the report said.
The harvest of navel and other early season and midseason varieties begins in the late fall and typically lasts through the early spring, while the valencia orange harvest begins in the spring and lasts into the fall months. Representing just under half of all U.S. citrus production for the fresh market, the fresh-market orange crop in 2022-23 increased from the previous season to 1.44 million tons due to larger navel orange and early season and midseason crops in California and Texas, the report said.
With increased supply, grower prices for fresh oranges were lower than last season, the report said.
The average equivalent-on-tree price for a box of fresh oranges over the period spanning November to July decreased approximately 21%, from $25.91 in 2021-22 to $20.52 in 2022-23, the report said.
Orange shipments reached their peak from January to March until the end of the midseason harvest.
Trade picture
U.S. imports of fresh oranges in 2022-23 (November through July) were down 9%, from the same period last year, according to the report. The 2021-22 season was a record year for fresh orange imports, given a historically small domestic crop and increased production in Mexico.
Mexico was the top foreign supplier of fresh-market oranges in the 2022-23 season, accounting for 52%, followed by Chile (24%) and South Africa (12%).
Florida challenges
The USDA said citrus greening disease, also known as Huanglongbing or HLB, continues to be a major challenge for growers in Florida by driving up production costs, reducing yields and contributing to attrition of bearing acreage.
Total bearing acreage in the state decreased by another 12% in the 2022-23 season to 298,400 acres.
In 2022-23, there was a slight increase over last season in total bearing acreage of California citrus (900 acres, less than 1% higher), the report said. The report said increased bearing acreage of tangerines and lemons offset continued losses of orange acreage.
Texas experienced a 9% drop in total bearing acreage, with attrition of both its grapefruit and orange acreage, while lemon acreage in Arizona decreased by 4%.
“Despite continued challenges from greening and long-term trends toward attrition of Florida and Texas citrus acreage, total production for the 2023-24 season is likely to exceed 2022-23 levels, precluding another severe weather event like Hurricane Ian,” the USDA said.
