Tangerines, lemons and limes see big per capita gains
Lemons, limes and tangerines are big citrus category winners for growth in retail per capita availability in the past 20 years, USDA statistics reveal.
On the other hand, grapefruit has seen a big decline in per capita fresh availability, dropping from about 4.9 pounds in 2000 to just 1.4 pounds in 2019.
Fresh per capita availability of oranges is even over the past two decades, about 1% higher compared with 20 years ago, according to USDA statistics.
Overall, retail fresh availability of citrus in 2019 was up 25% compared with 20 years ago, the USDA said.
By citrus variety, retail per capita availability in 2019, with percentage change compared with previous years:
- Oranges and temples: 8.2 pounds, up 3.2% from the previous year, down 9.8% from five years ago, down 6.6% compared with 10 years ago and 1% above 20 years ago.
- Tangerines and tangelos: 6.4 pounds, up 14.8% from the previous year, up 36% from five years ago, up 115% from 10 years ago and 195% above 20 years ago.
- Lemons: 4.7 pounds, up 15.4% from the previous year, up 42.6% from five years ago, up 56% from 10 years ago and 87% above 20 years ago.
- Limes: 3.9 pounds, up 1% from the previous year, up 33% from five years ago, up 61% compared with 10 years ago and 208% above 20 years ago.
- Grapefruit: 1.4 pounds, down 8% from the previous year, down 40% from five years ago, down 49% from 10 years ago and 75% below 20 years ago.
- Total citrus: 24.6 pounds, up 7% compared with the previous year, up 10% from five years ago, up 24% from 10 years ago and 25% above 20 years ago.
