Florida growers may harvest the lowest number of oranges since the 1989-1990 freeze-affected growing season, according to the season's first official forecast.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released the forecast for the 2013-2014 growing season on Nov. 8.
The USDA forecasts the 2013-14 season to bring 125 million equivalent cartons of oranges, 6 percent less than last season. Navels and midseasons are forecast to decline 5 percent and 14 percent respectively while the later season valencias are predicted to see a 1 percent increase.
The estimated number of bearing trees for all oranges is 56.8 million, down 1 percent from the previous season. Trees planted in 2010 and earlier are considered bearing this season.
Tangerines, however, are projected for big gains. Total Florida tangerine production is estimated to increase 14 percent, with honey tangerines leading the pack with a projected 24 percent increase in production.
The early months of 2013 brought little precipitation and average temperatures to the citrus growing region. Significant rainfall returned in late spring and slowly eliminated drought conditions by the first week in July. Seasonal temperatures together with above average precipitation continued throughout the summer months and kept the citrus groves drought-free through mid-October. Dry seasonal conditions returned during the final weeks of October as the harvest began.
To read the full report, click here.
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