Report says California tops Florida in oranges

TALLAHASSEE — California has surpassed Florida in a new estimate of orange production, the latest sign of continuing struggles in the Sunshine State’s citrus industry.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, in a monthly update released earlier this month, said Florida is forecast to produce enough oranges to fill 51.7 million 90-pound boxes by the time the 2020-2021 growing season ends in July.

That is down 6.8% from a March forecast and would be 23% lower than production during the 2019-2020 season.

Meanwhile, the department forecast California’s production at 52 million boxes, the same as in a March forecast.

Twenty years ago, Florida produced 223.3 million boxes of oranges and 46 million boxes of grapefruit, nearly five times the production from California.

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said in a statement that the “latest forecast is concerning” while noting growers have long faced challenges, including citrus greening disease.

“I remain strongly committed to our continued support for Florida’s vital citrus industry, requesting this year from legislators $8 million for citrus greening research and over $6 million for citrus health response and pest eradication, and I’m encouraged by new research advances including citrus greening genetic resistance,” Fried said in the statement.

Shannon Shepp, executive director of the Florida Department of Citrus, issued a statement that said the citrus industry “remains a vital part of our state’s economy” but pointed to a need for support.

“While we expect production to vary from season to season, today’s forecast provides an important reminder that we cannot take this industry for granted,” Shepp said. “Growers need our support so that they may continue to produce great-tasting Florida citrus and support the small communities where citrus is grown. Citrus will always have a place in Florida, but we must work together to overcome the challenges growers are currently facing.”

Last year, Florida produced 67.4 million boxes of oranges, while California produced 54.1 million boxes. A year earlier, Florida produced 71.85 million boxes to 52.2 million boxes in California.

Along with citrus greening disease, growers have struggled against residential and commercial development, foreign imports and hurricane impacts.

Lisa Pate, a mathematical statistician with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, noted that in preparing the latest monthly update, oranges were seen to have a “droppage” rate of 41%, a record high for a non-hurricane year for fruit to fall before reaching maturity.