Florida citrus season forecast "extremely discouraging" as fruit industry continues struggling

[240B]

Florida citrus season forecast "extremely discouraging" as fruit industry continues struggling

CBS/News Service of Florida
October 11, 2024

TALLAHASSEE — A new federal report says Florida's struggling citrus industry already was expected to produce less fruit during the 2024-2025 growing season. And that was before Hurricane Milton swept across Central Florida.

Based on surveys conducted in mid-September, the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Friday released a forecast for the 2024-2025 season that showed an overall 16.8 percent decrease in production of oranges, grapefruit and specialty fruits from the 2023-2024 season. What's more, production was projected to be below the 2022-2023 output, which was the lowest in 90 years.

The industry has grappled for two decades with deadly citrus greening disease and issues such as encroaching development. But it got hammered in 2022, when Hurricane Ian tore across the heart of the industry. And now, growers have to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, which made landfall Wednesday night in Sarasota County before crossing the state.

"Unfortunately, we're getting all too familiar with these storms," Matt Joyner, CEO of Bartow-based Florida Citrus Mutual, said Thursday when discussing Milton's impact. "None of them are good, but we're gonna pick up the pieces and move on."

(more)
https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/florida-citrus-season-forecast-extremely-discouraging/?intcid=CNR-01-0623

[240B]

Expensive citrus coming for winter.

[mountaineer]

Expensive citrus coming for winter.

No doubt!