New estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture show that Florida’s citrus crop was struggling before Hurricane Milton, with the cyclone expected to further exacerbate the challenges that growers now face.According to the agency’s October survey, harvesters are expected to produce only 15 million boxes of oranges during the 2024-2025 season—a figure that represents a decline of about 16 percent from just a year ago.
"While Florida growers begin to assess the extent of any personal or operational impacts from Hurricane Milton, we are grateful to hear that everyone appears to be safe, and there has been no loss of life in our agricultural communities. As growers return to the fields and evaluate their crops, it may take several weeks before the full impacts are known.