The USDA estimated a 21-percent drop in Florida orange production this season following damage from Hurricane Irma a month ago. State officials said losses were far worse and a farm group, Florida Citrus Mutual, said its survey of growers indicated losses exceeding 50 percent.
“It’s important to recognized that the damage to Florida citrus is still unfolding and will continue to for some time,” said state agriculture commissioner Adam Putnam. “I am concerned that today’s forecast does not accurately estimate the damages to our industry, given that groves are still under water and fruit is still dropping from trees.”
In its first forecast of the U.S. citrus crop, the USDA forecast that Florida, the No. 1 citrus state, would harvest 54 million boxes of oranges in the 2017/18 crop, compared to 68.75 million boxes during 2016/17. Last season’s crop was the smallest in five years, due to drought and citrus greening disease. Hurricane Irma lashed Florida with high winds and torrential rains on Sept. 10 and 11, arriving as oranges, grapefruit and other citrus crops were nearing harvest.
Florida Citrus Mutual said the orange crop is closer to 31 million boxes, according to its members. “Irma was a historic event that dealt Florida citrus a major blow,” said Michael Sparks, chief executive of the group. “The long-term effect of Irma on our industry will take years to sort out. We had groves under water and those trees aren’t just going to bounce back and continue producing fruit. They are gone.”
State officials said the scope of citrus losses would become clearer in coming weeks. “We have yet to realize the full extent of Hurricane Irma’s impact on the Florida Citrus industry and today’s forecast reflects that,” said chairman Ellis Hunt of the Florida Citrus Commission.
The state Agriculture Department has estimated $2.5 billion in hurricane losses for the farm sector, including a $760 million loss for citrus. Florida officials are seeking an equal amount of disaster aid.
The U.S. orange crop, grown chiefly in Florida, California and Texas, was forecast by USDA for 101.65 million boxes, down 16 percent from the 2016/17 crop. The government makes its first estimate of citrus production each October and makes monthly updates through July.