The USDA cut its estimate of Florida’s orange crop for the second time in two months, raising the possibility that California will be the No. 1 orange grower in the country this season. Both states were expected to harvest 46 million boxes of the citrus fruit this season, but because Florida’s box, at 90 pounds, is heavier than California’s 80-pound box, the Sunshine State would prevail on a tonnage basis.
The new estimate of the Florida crop, however, is 4 million boxes smaller than the USDA’s November estimate and 8 million boxes below its initial estimate for the 2017/18 season, made in October. “This is exactly what we thought would happen as the true damage begins to rear its ugly head in the groves across Florida,” said Michael Sparks, chief executive of the cooperative Florida Citrus Mutual. “Unfortunately, the situation is going to get worse before it gets better; we think the actual size of the 2017/18 [crop] will not be known until the season is over and all the fruit is packed.”
Hurricane Irma swept through Florida on Sept. 10 as the orange crop neared maturity. Florida Citrus Mutual said its survey of growers indicated losses of 60 percent statewide and 100 percent in southwestern Florida. The USDA forecast of 46 million boxes was a 33 percent reduction from the 2016/17 harvest.
Agriculture commissioner Adam Putnam was among state officials saying that citrus growers needed federal disaster assistance. “Florida’s citrus growers continue to grapple with the unprecedented damage, which is still unfolding in many groves,” said Putnam.