Posts Tagged “Florida orange shipments”
The first monthly citrus crop forecast for the 2023-24 harvest season has been issued by the USDA. The federal agency estimates Florida orange production at 20.5 million boxes this season, which represents a 30% increase from last year.
This comes as the Florida citrus industry begins closing the door on what has been a very difficult year, with multiple weather incidents stalling production.
In 2022, the state was severely impacted by Hurricane Ian, which caused flooding and crop damage due to harsh winds. This year, Hurricane Idalia left a similar count, with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service putting damages at an estimated $447.9 million.
Florida’s 2023-24 fiscal year began July 1, and with that came more than $65 million in funding from the Florida Legislature to support Florida citrus. This investment includes $38 million to support grower research and replanting of citrus trees.
A 43% plunge in orange production in Florida is predicted by the USDA following the impact of Hurricane Idalia. Expect price increases for popular by products such as orange juice.
The USDA’s latest report, published in July, puts the state’s orange yields at 15.8 million 90 pound boxes.
Florida citrus growers have experienced many shortcomings. In 2022, Hurricane Ian brought excessive rainfall and wind damage, and the ever-present greening disease continued to stall harvests.
The industry’s resilience has been key to endure these challenges, however, this coming season’s outlook brings less-than-reassuring projections.
The USDA is projecting a 51% decrease in overall production for Florida citrus, with both Valencia and Non-Valencia oranges showing the biggest drops.
According to the entity’s Agricultural Statistics Board, harvest for next month will close at 20 million boxes. This is down 8 million from the October forecast.
The Sunshine State’s produce industry is among the most affected by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, with many vegetable production areas flooded in the Everglades. This negatively impacted both growing plots and yields, as crop planting was largely just beginning when Ian hit Southwest Florida.
Regarding varieties, Valencia oranges would show the largest decline in production with 13 million boxes, down 4 million from the October forecast. Current fruit size is below the minimum compared to the previous 10 seasons, the report states.
This is similar to the projection for non-Valencia oranges (early, mid-season, and Navel varieties), which is also to decrease by 4 million, dropping to 13 boxes. Fruit size is currently below average and is projected to remain so at harvest.
Grapefruit production is also expected to decrease by 200,000 boxes to 1.8 total. Red grapefruit forecast lowered from 180,000 to 1.62 million boxes, while white grapefruit forecast decreased 20,000 boxes to 180,000.
Tangerine and tangelo yields are also predicted to go down by 100,000 boxes, for a total of 600,000.
“Chances are 2 out of 3 that the current all orange production forecast will not be above or below the final estimates by more than 8.4 percent, or 8.3 percent excluding abnormal seasons (three hurricane seasons). Chances are 9 out of 10 (90 percent confidence level) that the difference will not exceed 14.5 percent, or 14.4 percent excluding abnormal seasons,” the report said.
Total Florida orange production for 2022-2023 on Nov. 9 was forecast to be 28.0 million boxes. According to USDA’s Agricultural Statistics Board, this estimate is down 32 percent from last season’s final production.
The total includes 11.0 million boxes of non-Valencia oranges (early, midseason, and Navel varieties) and 17.0 million boxes of Valencia oranges.
The Navel orange forecast, at 300,000 boxes, accounts for 3% of the non-Valencia total.
The estimated number of bearing trees for all oranges is 44.0 million.
The forecast for all Florida grapefruit production is carried forward from October at 2.00 million boxes, 40% less than last season’s utilization of 3.33 million boxes. The total is comprised of 1.80 million boxes of red grapefruit and 200,000 boxes of white grapefruit.
The forecast for tangerine and tangelos is carried forward at 700,000 boxes, 7 percent less than last season’s utilization of 750,000 boxes. This forecast number includes all certified tangerine and tangelo varieties.
The USDA report notes that, on Sept. 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian made its first U.S. landfall along the southwestern coast of Florida as a Category 4 storm. The storm traveled directly over four of the five largest citrus producing counties (Desoto, Highlands, Hardee, and Polk), at hurricane strength. The entire citrus area was inundated with heavy winds and excessive rainfall as it made its northeastward movement over the state. Normal grove operations were temporarily halted in all areas.
The crop season began with harvesting of Navel and Hamlin oranges, red grapefruit, and Fallglo and Early Pride tangerines, primarily for the fresh market.
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.
While excessive heat and untimely rains during the growing season, After a lighter-than-normal start in late October, Florida’s tomato shipments started accelerating in mid-November.
Florida tomato shipments are now shifting from Central to Southern Florida and will continue into the winter. Peak volume from Sinaloa, Mexico and South Florida is coming as volume ramps up volume in December.
Last year, there was 25.9 million 25-pound equivalent containers of round tomatoes shipped.
This represents a 21 percent decrease compared to the previous season and the smallest crop on record since 1976-77, when a freeze knocked out Florida’s winter crop.
The significant volume reduction in 2017-18 was mainly due to the result to the fall crop caused by Hurricane Irma.
Citrus Shipments
Florida orange shipments have been downgraded to 77 million boxes, off 3 percent from October in a new estimate.
The USDA adjusted estimate also includes other citrus. Early, midseason and navel varieties are forecast at 32 million boxes, down 6 percent from last month, according the USDA crop report released November 8th. Valencias are forecast at 45 million boxes, unchanged from last month’s estimate.
The grapefruit crop forecast decreased by 300,000 to 6.4 million.
While some of the projections have been lowered, the numbers still represent a very significant improvement on the 2017-18 season, when the crop was devastated by Hurricane Irma in September.
Other Oranges
California is estimated to ship 49 million boxes of oranges, up from 45.4 million last year. The state is expected to have 40 million boxes of early, midseason and navel varieties, up from 35.9 million last year.
Texas is forecast to ship 1.8 million boxes of early, midseason and navel varieties and 600,000 boxes of valencia oranges.
Grapefruit
The USDA projected 3.9 million boxes of grapefruit from California, down slightly from last season. Florida is expected to produce 6.4 million boxes, including 5.3 million of red grapefruit and 1.1 million of white grapefruit. Texas is forecast to have 6.2 million boxes of grapefruit this season, up from 4.8 million in 2017-18.
Other Citrus
California is expected to increase mandarin and tangerine production from 19.2 million boxes to 23 million boxes, and Florida’s volume is forecast to grow from 750,000 boxes to 1.2 million boxes.
Arizona is projected to produce 1.4 million boxes of lemons, up from 1 million last year. California’s production is expected to dip slightly from 21.2 million to 20 million.
It appears Florida’s orange growers are finally getting a break after surviving pestilence and a deadly hurricane.
With season kicking off October 1st, the state may ship 70 million boxes of the fruit, according to the average estimate of four traders and analysts in a Bloomberg survey. That compares with 44.95 million the prior year, the smallest crop since 1945, government data show. The survey response range was 65 million to 80 million.
Florida orange shipments for the nation’s number one producing state has seen the growers leaving the business due to the the Asian citrus psyllid, a tiny winged insect that spreads the bacterial disease known as citrus greening. Greening has decimated groves and increased costs for crop maintenance. A year ago, the industry was clobbered by Hurricane Irma after the storm smashed into trees in September and damaged fruit.
Improved weather conditions has helped the crop to start coming back and as more growers develop methods to fight the greening disease. Output of 70 million boxes would be the biggest since 2015, according to statistics from the USDA. The agency will issue its first estimate for the upcoming season on October 11th. The citrus is shipped in 90-pound boxes.
The Highlands County Citrus Growers Association of Sebring, FL reports many citrus trees very good with the turn around. Tree leaves are reported having good structure and growers are placing emphasis on the nutrition of trees to fight greening.
The association members account for about 13 percent of the state’s shipments, will probably have up to 9 million boxes in the upcoming season. That compares with 5.5 million boxes a year earlier.
Hunt Brothers Cooperative in Lake Wales, FL report the battle with greening has increased costs at a time when American demand for orange juice is on the decline. Growers are estimated to be spending about $2,100 per acre today, up from $700 10 to 12 years ago.
The forecast for all Florida orange shipments in April hasn’t changed from the March outlook, at 67 million boxes; but grapefruit shipping volume has been reduced.
Growers are battling citrus greening in the groves, resulting in the smaller crop. Following the revised USDA forecast shows the total orange volume includes 33 million boxes of the non-valencia oranges (early, midseason, and navels) and 34 million boxes of valencia oranges. Florida is the top orange-producing state in the U.S., with California second, at a projected 51 million boxes for 2016-17.
The final numbers for Florida citrus won’t be known until the end of July.
For the previous 10 seasons used in the regressions, the April all-orange forecast has deviated from final production by an average of 3 percent, with five seasons above and five below, and differences ranging from 7 percent below to 5 percent above, USDA reported.
The forecast of non-valencia production was unchanged, at 33 million boxes. The survey, conducted March 29-30, showed 99 percent of the early-midseason rows were harvested. Non-valencia estimated utilization to April 1, with an allocation for non-certified fruit, was 32.9 million boxes.
The navel forecast was lowered by 50,000 boxes at 800,000 boxes, 2 percent of the non-valencia total.
The forecast of valencia production remained at 34 million boxes. Final fruit size was close to the minimum, requiring 242 pieces to fill a 90-pound box. The survey indicated final droppage at 30 percent, slightly below the maximum. A survey showed 28 percent of the valencia rows were harvested.
The forecast of all grapefruit production was lowered 800,000 boxes to 8.10 million, with changes made in both the white and red grapefruit forecasts. The white grapefruit forecast was lowered 200,000 boxes, to 1.5 million, and the red grapefruit forecast was lowered 600,000 boxes, to 6.6 million.
Estimated utilization to April 1, with an allocation for non-certified use, of white grapefruit was 1.42 million boxes and red grapefruit, 6.24 million. Florida leads the U.S. in grapefruit production, with Texas’ projected 4.7 million boxes second.
The forecast of early tangerine varieties — fallglo and sunburst — was finalized, at 600,000 boxes with 225,000 boxes of fallglo and 375,000 boxes of sunburst. Harvest is complete for these varieties this season. The royal tangerine forecast was raised 20,000 boxes to 240,000. The later-maturing honey tangerine forecast was raised 130,000 boxes, to 520,000. California’s projected 22 million boxes of tangerines and tangelos leads the U.S., with Florida second, at 1.64 million.
The tangelo portion of the all tangerine forecast remained at 280,000 boxes. Estimated utilization to April 1 is 277,000 boxes, which included an allocation for non-certified fruit.
Here’s an update on Washington apples shipments, as well as Florida tomato shipments and Florida orange shipments.
Washington apple shipments now shows the total crop remaining in storages at 116.7 million boxes, down a fraction from 116.9 million a month ago and 117.1 million on January 1st. Record apple shipments occurred in 2014 totaling 141.8 million boxes.
The 2015 crop is 54 percent, 62.9 million boxes, shipped versus 54 percent a year ago and 56.7 percent two years ago. Weekly shipments are averaging a healthy 2.5 million boxes.
Florida Tomato Shipments
Abnormal winter storms have caused shortages of all Florida grown produce. Damaging winds, heavy rains and even tornadoes have crossed the state nearly every week since the holidays. About 80 percent of the tomatoes in the U.S. are currently coming from Mexico. Meanwhile, Florida production and shipments of tomatoes should increase significantly by Mid April.
Florida Orange Shipments
The USDA 2015-16 Florida orange shipping estimate has increased 3 percent to 71 million, though it is still well below the 96.8 million boxes of oranges moved during the 2014-15 season. A 2 million box rise in Valencias to 35 million accounted for the increase, while early and mid-season varieties stayed at 36 million boxes. Florida citrus officials say its citrus crops remain in a “crisis” situation due to disease issues.
The USDA’s estimate of the 2015-16 Florida grapefruit crop also rose slightly to 10.7 million boxes from 10.5 million. Specialty citrus decreased a fraction to 1.8 million boxes.