The U.S.D.A.  forecast the 2017-18 Florida orange crop at 2,250,000 tons.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Nov. 9 forecast the 2017-18 Florida orange crop at 2,250,000 tons (50 million 90-lb boxes), down 7% from its initial forecast in October, down 27% from 3,094,000 tons in 2016-17 and the lowest since 1945-46.

The Florida orange crop has declined every year since 2011-12 and was forecast down 80% from peak production of 10,980,000 tons (244 million boxes) in 1997-98. Citrus groves were devastated by citrus greening disease in recent years, with this year’s sharp decline attributed mostly to losses from Hurricane Irma.

The total U.S. orange crop in 2017-18 was forecast at 4,160,000 tons, down 4% from the October forecast and down 19% from 5,164,000 tons in 2016-17.