USDA Crop Production Report

The United States Department of Agriculture's latest forecast for the 2023-2024 season indicates a slight increase in orange production

Orange Production Slightly Up, Grapefruit and Tangerines Down

The United States Department of Agriculture's latest forecast for the 2023-2024 season indicates a slight increase in orange production, while grapefruit and tangerine production is expected to decline compared to the previous season.

Orange Production:

The all orange forecast for the United States is 2.77 million tons, up less than 1 percent from the previous forecast and up 11 percent from the 2022-2023 final utilization.

In Florida, the all orange forecast is 19.8 million boxes (891,000 tons), unchanged from the previous forecast but up 25 percent from last season's final utilization.

The California Valencia orange forecast is 8.00 million boxes (320,000 tons), up 3 percent from the previous forecast and up 19 percent from the previous season.

The California all orange forecast is 46.0 million boxes (1.84 million tons), up less than 1 percent from the previous forecast and up 6 percent from last season's final utilization.

Grapefruit Production:

The United States 2023-2024 grapefruit crop is forecast at 340,000 tons, down 2 percent from the previous forecast but up 4 percent from last season's final utilization.

The Florida grapefruit forecast is 2.20 million boxes (94,000 tons), down 8 percent from the previous forecast but up 22 percent from the last season.

Tangerine and Mandarin Production:

The United States tangerine and mandarin crop is forecast at 904,000 tons, down less than 1 percent from the previous forecast and down 7 percent from the last season's final utilization.

The Florida tangerine and mandarin forecast is 500,000 boxes (24,000 tons), down 9 percent from the last forecast but up 4 percent from last year.

The report also highlights weather conditions across the nation, with the western half experiencing higher-than-average precipitation and the eastern half being drier than normal, except for parts of the Appalachians and South.

Additionally, the sugarcane production for sugar and seed is estimated at 33.8 million tons, up 2 percent from the previous forecast but down 3 percent from last season.