Despite all estimates surrounding the recent destruction in Florida, analysts will have to wait another month before getting the entire picture.
Lance Honig with USDA’s Ag Statistics Service says the next citrus forecast, scheduled for December 9th, should include numbers reflecting Ian’s crop damage.
He says all fieldwork was done before the hurricane made landfall, so the newly released numbers do not paint the entire picture. The Agency has already made it clear, however, to brace for the worst crop since before World War II.
“Non-Valencia’s are looking at a Florida crop that’s down 5.8 million boxes from what was produced last year. That would be the fourth-lowest non-Valencia production in Florida on record. We’re also looking at a big drop on the Valencia portion as well, down more than 7 million boxes,” said Honig.
These losses contribute to an 8 percent decrease in all U.S. oranges. Florida’s grapefruit growers are expected to have their fourth lowest production on record.
