U.S. citrus production in 2018-19 is rebounding from previous-year lows, according to a USDA report.
The U.S. citrus crop is forecast to be up 31% to 8.02 million metric tons (MT) in 2018-19, reflecting an expectation for expanded national production in all major citrus commodities, except lemons, and overall larger crops in the four major producing States.
The rebound is expected to be the greatest in Florida, recovering from 2017-18 crop losses caused by Hurricane Irma. Nationally, orange and grapefruit crops are expected to have the largest increases from the previous year, with growth of 42 percent and 24 percent, respectively.
However, only orange production is projected higher than the 2016-17 season, suggesting a continued long-term decline in the citrus market overall. Increased supplies are lowering fresh citrus prices in the domestic market.
