SUNNIER SKIES for CITRUS

Latest Forecast Gives a More Optimistic Outlook for Grapefruit

- TIM CRAIG

FLORIDA CITRUS GROWERS, particularly those who grow grapefruit, got a slice of good news in January when the U.S. Department of Agriculture increased one of its indicators during the monthly projection update for the 2019-2020 season.

In its January forecast, the USDA increased its projected grapefruit production by 10 percent, to 5.4 million boxes, over its December forecast. In December, the USDA projected that red grapefruit production would be 4.1 million boxes, while white grapefruit would be 800,000 boxes. For January, red grapefruit projections moved to 4.5 million boxes, while white grapefruit increased to 900,000 boxes.

The report noted that, if the projections are realized, production for all varieties of grapefruit will be 20 percent more than last season’s final production. According to the report, both the fruit size and the projected droppage of both varieties of grapefruit are projected to be above average.

January projections for all varieties of oranges, tangerines and tangelos remained unchanged from the December report. The next citrus projection update was expected on February 11.

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried said in a statement that she was encouraged by the USDA update and said it was the result of the “fortitude of Florida citrus growers.”