The federal government is expected to release a citrus crop report Tuesday that will be the best indicator of the damage caused by the four hurricanes that battered Florida in August and September.
Citrus growers anticipate the report, released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will show a crop estimate among the lowest in recent memory. It isn't expected to even approach the 2003-04 harvest of 242-million boxes of citrus.
Depending on the variety, one box of citrus weighs from 85 to 95 pounds.
Agriculture officials will update the report through the harvest. This year, the fruit tally is likely to drop more as more citrus falls off trees because of water damage.
It isn't all bad news for growers. One silver lining to anyone with crop remaining is the shortfall will lead to higher prices in an industry where overproduction and stagnant prices have been the norm in recent years.
