The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its initial estimate Oct. 10 of the 2019-20 Florida orange crop, which, at 74 million boxes, is a 3.4 percent increase from last year's final tally. The USDA forecast 2019-20 Valencias at 42 million boxes and early/mid-season varieties at 32 million boxes. 

"This incremental increase is good news for the industry as we continue to recover from Hurricane Irma and the devastating effects of citrus greening," said Michael W. Sparks, executive vice president and chief executive officer of Florida Citrus Mutual. "We believe that this number, if it holds throughout the year, will strike a nice balance of getting the processors the oranges they need while firming up prices to the Florida citrus grower. I am proud of the Florida citrus grower who continues to produce the best fruit in the world in a very challenging environment. We are not out of the woods but we are making gains."

The USDA issues its initial estimate in October of each year and then revises it monthly as the crop takes shape until the end of the season in July.  

During the 2018-19 season, Florida produced 71.6 million boxes of oranges.

The USDA's estimate of the 2019-20 Florida grapefruit crop is 4.6 million boxes and specialty citrus is 1.05 million boxes. 

The Florida citrus industry creates an $8.6 billion annual economic impact, employing nearly 46,000 people, and covering about 410,000 acres.