Freezing temperatures in Florida last weekend are not expected to cause significant damage to oranges or other citrus. The state produces over 75 percent of the nation’s oranges, although most of it goes to processors. Florida also produces about 40 percent of the world’s orange juice.
Each new monthly forecast from the USDA seems to predict additional declines in shipments for this year’s Florida citrus. For example, this season’s valencia crop is forecast to drop 1 million equivalent boxes from its previous month’s estimate. This places the state’s 2013 orange crop at 141 million boxes, down less than 1% from the previous 142 million carton estimate. Valencias dropped from the January estimate by 1 million cartons to 75 million boxes. Early and mid-season varieties remained unchanged at 66 million boxes while grapefruit production is also expected to remain unchanged at 18 million boxes. Tangerines and tangelos each decreased 100,000 boxes.
The predicted 141 million box orange crop compares to the recent five-year average of 152 million cartons and 175 million cartons seen in the early 2000s. About 95 percent of the state’s oranges ship to processed channels while grapefruit and tangerines are mostly trucked to the fresh market.
New Jersey
While truckers and farmers both seem to face disasters, they tend to be of a different kind. Farmers face natural disasters, which can lead to government hand outs. Most trucker disasters seem to be government made. For example, the ridiculous CARB rules coming out of California. Other government created disasters may range from excessive rules and regulations to taxes and over zealous law enforcement.
The comparison came to mind when it was just announced the USDA was granting natural disaster monies to 14 New Jersey counties for disasters in 2012 ranging from Hurricane Sandy to other problems between June and November of last year.
New Jersery Gov. Chris Christie is quoted as saying, “While federal aid is already being provide through a variety of programs, now farmers will have additional federal agriculture disaster asistance to help them get back on their feet.”
Ironically, New Jersey ag commissioner Douglas Fisher issued the following statement: “In spite of the many weather related issues faced by agriculture in 2012, the season was an overall success.”
Just some food for thought on how the government views trucking compared to agriculture.