The USDA forecast of the 2013-2014 Florida orange crop released the second week in June decreased by 6 million boxes to 104.3 million boxes. Early-mid varieties accounted for 53.3 million boxes while Valencias dropped 6 million boxes to 51 million boxes.

“This decrease is about what we expected with the continuing effects of HLB, or citrus greening so we are not surprised,” said Michael W. Sparks, executive VP/CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual, while taking a break at the Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference. “The flip side is without the resiliency and superior production methods of the Florida citrus grower it could have been worse. The crop is still very high quality.”

During the 2012-2013 season, Florida produced 133.6 million boxes of oranges. The complete USDA estimate.

The USDA’s estimate of the 2013-2014 Florida grapefruit crop stayed at 15.6 million boxes. Specialty fruit held steady at 3.83 million boxes. The yield for frozen concentrate orange juice (FCOJ) decreased to 1.57 gallons per 90-pound box.