ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Production of oranges in Florida this season is projection to be down 36% from earlier approximates, in part a reflection of twin cyclones that damaged growing areas, according to U.S. Agriculture Department figures launched Friday.
The mostcurrent projection calls for about 18 million boxes of oranges to be produced in 2022-23 in the state, compared with firm approximates of 28 million in October that did not account for damage triggered by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole.
The most current numbers program a drop of 56% in Florida orange production compared with last season, farming authorities stated. The boxes typically weigh about 90 pounds (40 kgs).
Other citrus crops are likewise projection to be down, with grapefruit production coming in at 200,000 boxes less than approximated in October and 100,000 less boxes of tangerines and tangelos.
The decrease in orange production would make the 2022-23 season one of the leastexpensive giventhat World War II. The harvest was 41 million boxes in 2021-2022 and more than 67 million the season priorto that.
“This is a gut punch. There’s no d