New estimate for Florida's orange harvest indicates production of 41,2 million boxes

The latest estimate for the 2021/22 Florida orange harvest, released on March 9 by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), is undergoing a further reduction and is forecast at 41,2 million boxes.

This value represents a drop of 5%, or 2,30 million boxes, compared to the February forecast, which was 43,5 million boxes.

This drop in production has been a reflection of the frost that occurred in this harvest, but mainly of the high incidence and severity of greening in Florida orchards.

Again, the Valencia variety impacts harvest numbers. The harvest is still in the early stages and the forecast is that only 23 million boxes will be harvested, a 12% reduction compared to February. Meanwhile, production of other varieties increased by 4%, forecast at 18,2 million boxes.

In the case of Valencia orange, fruit size is projected to be below the minimum at harvest, with 271 units per box, and the drop rate is projected at 47%. For early varieties, the projection is that 329 fruits will be needed per box, and the drop rate will be 39%.

If this forecast comes true, the current harvest will be 22% smaller than last season's final production.

Check out the full report: https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Florida/Publications/Citrus/Citrus_Forecast/2021-22/cit0322.pdf