USDA’S latest look at domestic orange production shows a two percent month-over-month decrease, primarily on a drop in production in California.
In Florida, which has struggled with orange production in recent years, production didn’t move from the previous month, but that is not the case when compared to a year ago.
“Actually, we’re unchanged on oranges from the previous month,” said Mark Hudson of the National Agricultural Statistics Service of Florida. “Our forecast is still 6.1 million boxes, which is down at 67% from [the] previous year and 73% from 2 years ago for a non-Valencia. Valencia is at 10 million. This is unchanged, but it’s down 56% from [the] previous season and 67% from two seasons ago,” said Mark Hudson.
This year’s Florida crop will be the smallest since World War II, thanks in part to Hurricane Ian.
In Texas, orange production is down 9 percent from the previous forecast.
