Florida citrus, still hurting from Irma, drops again in USDA forecast

Hurricane Irma continues to take its toll on Florida's orange crop.

With fruit continuing to fall off trees — and fruit size coming in smaller than usual — the forecast for the crop has been lowered again. This time by 8 percent. 

In its latest forecast, released this week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated growers will produce 46 million 90-pound boxes of oranges in the 2017-18 season. That would be 4 million less than in a November estimate.

The new estimate would be 33 percent smaller than last season's crop and the lowest number of boxes produced since the 1944-45 season.

The USDA also cut the estimate for tangerines and tangelos by 40,000 boxes to 910,000, down 44 percent from the past season.

The forecast for the grapefruit crop remains unchanged at 4.65 million boxes, which would be 40 percent less than last season and the lowest number recorded since the 1918-19 season. 

The December forecast is the USDA's third for this season's citrus crop.

Estimates were lowered in November for oranges, grapefruit and tangerines and tangelos.

More: USDA lowers orange crop forecast due to Irma

The latest drop in the forecast comes as the Florida citrus industry continues to fight for federal emergency money to support growers hurt by the hurricane.

“This second reduction underscores the dire need for federal disaster assistance,” said Shannon Shepp, executive director of the Florida Department of Citrus.

“Florida Citrus growers are making decisions on next season’s crop now and they need to know they have the support necessary to keep this American icon alive,” Shepp said in a statement.

More: Gov. Scott wants $21 million in Florida budget to aid citrus industry

More: Congress squeezes out citrus aid in $36.5 billion disaster relief package

More: Florida officials issue dire warning: Rescue citrus industry or find your orange juice elsewhere

Florida growers reported a 30 to 70 percent crop loss after Hurricane Irma hit Sept.10. The southwest region that includes Collier, Lee and Hendry counties took the biggest hit. The hurricane uprooted trees and left many trees standing in water for up to three weeks, which is expected to affect future seasons’ growth.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services estimates the citrus industry sustained more than $760 million in damages from Irma. Those numbers are only expected to rise.

“While much of the state has recovered and moved on from Hurricane Irma, Florida's citrus growers continue to grapple with the unprecedented damage, which is still unfolding in many groves. Florida's growers need support and they need it as quickly as possible," said Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam.

He said in the statement that he will continue to work with Gov. Rick Scott and leaders in Washington "to get Florida's growers the support and relief they need to rebuild.”

Growers are now expected to produce 27 million boxes of Valencias and 19 million boxes of other oranges (early, midseason and Navel varieties).

Florida's citrus growers questioned the USDA's initial forecast, saying it was too high after the serious damage dealt by Irma. That first estimate put the orange crop at 54 million boxes.

Based on its survey of growers, Florida Citrus Mutual, the state's largest citrus growers association, predicted a crop size closer to 31 million boxes. 

Mongi Zekri, a multi-county citrus agent with the University of Florida/IFAS, said in an email that he expects the citrus estimate to continue falling, at least into the low 40s for the orange crop. 

Fruit still is dropping for several reasons, including citrus greening, the tree-killing bacterial disease that has become widespread in Florida.

"Growers are not happy with the lack of support from the state and federal government to help them recover from the hurricane devastation to their crops and trees," Zekri said.