Dive Brief:
- The USDA is expecting a decrease in the citrus industry's production for 2015. The organization predicts production of about 102 million boxes of oranges, which is lower than 2014's 104 million boxes.
- Florida frozen concentrated orange juice is also predicted to drop this year, from 1.57 gallons per box last year to 1.54 gallons per box at 42 degrees Brix.
- Earlier this year, the USDA announced $30 million in funding toward research and development projects that the organization hopes will slow the citrus greening outbreak.
Dive Insight:
Adam Putnam, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, said in a statement, “The future of Florida’s iconic citrus industry continues to be threatened by citrus greening. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has requested $18 million this year to support research, to grow clean citrus stock and to remove and replant diseased trees. We will fight to save Florida’s $10.7 billion citrus industry, and the 64,000 jobs the industry supports,” CBS Miami reported.