Florida orange shipments should total about 77 million 90-pound box equivalents, most of which will go to processing. Last year’s total was about 45 million boxes.
This is a significant increase in volume as Hurricane Irma had devasting consequences in 2017.
The state’s growers are expected to ship 6.4 million boxes of grapefruit and 1.2 million boxes of tangerines this season.
Duda Farm Fresh of Oviedo, FL is shipping juice oranges, navel oranges, tangerines, plus white and red grapefruit this winter.
Volume for oranges is expected to increase 30 to 40 percent from last year, mostly because of the devastation from Hurricane Irma. Quality this season is reported good in part because Florida has had some cooler weather.
Last year good fruit color was a challenge because of warm fall weather.
Duda Farm Fresh completed its navel season in early January, and will begin picking valencias in February.
Grapefruit volume should be up over 60 percent for the company this season compared to last year, when the firm’s orchards received a direct hit from the hurricane.
Duda Farm Fresh Foods is offering red and white grapefruit, with the season extending through most of February and hopefully into March.
Florida Classic Gowers Inc., Dundee, FL will have an longer season this year for its valencia oranges as a result of an expanded storage program, with shipments running through June.
The company’s valencia program started in late January, with optimism for a good, quality crop. Initial indications are for larger sizing than last season, with more 64- and 80-count fruit.
The company expects to ship more valencias this year than last year.
The Honey tangerine harvest started the week of January 14th and should be available into April.