A larger citrus crop is expected from Florida this fall. "We are guessing that grapefruit will be up approximately 50 percent over last year and oranges between 50 to 100 percent above what we had last season at this time," said Doug Feek of Feek Family Citrus, adding that the sizing looks good on the fruit.
As for the Florida citrus growing conditions to date, the growing season has been good. "We have our normal dry months in March and April; however, we started to have some rains in May and June," says Feek. "If we continue to get some rain, I think we'll be good to start our season at the end of September-first of October." He hopes that the season can start a week earlier than last year.
Hurricanes of 2024
While it's early yet and the state has just entered its hurricane season, hurricanes are partly behind the lower citrus supply levels in 2024 following Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. "Part of it has to do with the hurricanes, but part of it, the trees seem to be, in most cases, in better health and have put on a better crop of fruit compared to last year," says Feek. "The trees had a good bloom and held the bloom until now, and we hadn't seen that in a number of years. Hopefully, things will continue that way and we'll be back on track."
Demand has been moderate this past season. Feek Family Citrus is still packing its Valencia orange crop and likely still will be for the next five to six weeks. "We haven't felt the demand all year, though, and it could be due to prices and California's excess of small fruit."
That said, he anticipates prices to be slightly lower this upcoming season, which he hopes will help demand and movement.
Remainder of 2024 Valencia season
As for that current Valencia supply from Florida, it is stretching a bit later than normal. "Normally we finish between the mid to end of July, and this year it will be between the end of July and early August," says Feek.
Meanwhile, there are changes in the juice market–namely, it has shrunk. "Due to the hurricanes in the past three years, the volume has decreased in Florida. It won't affect our fresh fruit, but it is affecting our juice fruit," says Feek, adding that another juice plant could be lost this year in Florida. "Our fresh fruit, we will take whatever we can sell. The balance will go to the other plants that are left, which will give them an opportunity to be more efficient."
For more information:
Doug Feek
Feek Family Citrus
Tel: +1 (772) 473-3885
[email protected]
https://feekfamilycitrus.com/