September 29, 2008

ISSUE 1238

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Office reported Sept. 19 that the 2008 total citrus acreage at 576,577 is the lowest since record keeping began with the 1966 tree inventory.

The NASS report says that “though the gross loss is less than that reported in the three prior censuses, it represents an 11 percent drop. In addition to urban development, pushing due to canker and greening and abandonment of nonproductive groves, the reduction includes two large areas being converted to reservoirs by a water management district. With nurseries lost to canker and the regulations now in effect, few new citrus trees were available. Only 22,128 acres of new plantings were counted."