Florida, the largest citrus-growing state in the nation, will harvest less than three-fourths as many oranges as last year because of damage from Hurricane Irma, said the USDA. In its monthly crop report, the agency estimated orange production at 50 million boxes, 9-percent less than it estimated a month ago and 27-percent less than the 2016/17 crop of 68.75 million boxes.
“Unfortunately, I don’t think this will be the last decrease we see. Hurricane Irma had widespread impact on our industry and growers are still trying to pick up the pieces,” said Shannon Shepp, executive director of the Florida Citrus Department. “High winds and flooding damaged already weakened trees, making it more difficult to hold on the fruit that’s left.”
In its initial forecast of the crop in October, the USDA had the harvest at 54 million boxes. Hurricane Irma lashed Florida with high winds and torrential rain on Sept. 10-11, just as oranges, grapefruit and other citrus crops were nearing maturity. At the time, Florida was on track for its first increase in orange output in five years. In the days after the storm, Florida Citrus Mutual, a grower group, said a survey of members indicated the crop could be as small as 31 million boxes.
Florida usually produces 60 percent of the U.S. orange crop with California the No. 2 grower. This season, Florida’s share of U.S. production would be 54 percent. “Today’s lowered forecast shows that the damage to Florida citrus from Hurricane Irma is still unfolding, and it will continue to for some time. Florida’s growers need support and they need it fast,” said state agriculture commissioner Adam Putnam.