TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – On January 12, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its January citrus forecast for the 2022-2023 season:
“Today’s forecast is another sobering reminder that Florida’s citrus industry faces real challenges – like citrus greening, rising costs to growers and consumers due to inflation, and ongoing hurricane recovery efforts. The continued decline of Florida citrus has impacts well beyond the grove, as so many of our rural communities are interwoven with citrus production. However, I am confident that Florida will meet these challenges head on with a commonsense approach to support our state’s growers and world-renowned citrus industry.”
USDA’s January forecast[ 
] for all Florida oranges decreased by 2 million boxes, bringing the new forecast total for the 22-23 season to 18 million boxes. USDA also forecast a slight decrease in Florida grapefruit production, projecting 300,000 less boxes, for a new season total of 1.5 million boxes.
Commissioner Simpson has fought for Florida’s citrus industry long before being elected as Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture. As Senate President, Simpson secured key investments for citrus protection and research, including fully funding the Citrus Health Response Program (CHRP) at $13.3 million; fully funding the request for citrus greening research at $16 million; fully funding Florida citrus marketing at $35 million; prevented tax increases to the citrus industry through citrus supplemental funding totaling $2 million; and investing more than $2 million in staff, research and infrastructure for the Donaldson citrus variety, which has been described as a “beacon of hope” for the industry in its fight against citrus greening.
For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.
FDOC responds to first Citrus Crop Forecast of 2023
BARTOW, Fla. — In the January USDA forecast of the 2022 – 2023 citrus season, the USDA projected production at 18 million boxes of Florida Oranges, 1.5 million boxes of Florida Grapefruit, and 500,000 boxes of Florida Tangerines and Tangelos. The crop forecast released on January 12, 2023, was a decrease from the previous forecast released in December.
“To Florida’s resilient citrus growers, today’s crop forecast is evidence of the trials and complex challenges our industry has faced following Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. These updated figures are also further proof of growers’ strength and fortitude as they continue to face extreme weather, spikes in crop input prices, and the effects of citrus greening season after season,” said Shannon Shepp, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Citrus. “Despite these obstacles, Florida Citrus growers remain determined to repair, replant, and deploy innovative mitigation efforts to combat greening. Florida citrus growers’ commitment to providing high-quality Florida Orange Juice remains strong, and we are confident consumers will be able to enjoy the Original Wellness Drink for years to come.”
About the Florida Department of Citrus
The Florida Department of Citrus is an executive agency of the Florida government charged with the marketing, research, and regulation of the Florida citrus industry. Its activities are funded by a tax paid by growers on each box of citrus that moves through commercial channels. The industry employs more than 33,000 people, provides an annual economic impact of $6.762 billion to the state, and contributes hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenues that help support Florida’s schools, roads, and health care services. For more information about the Florida Department of Citrus, visit FloridaCitrus.org/newsroom.
–Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services & Florida Department of Citrus
