The citrus industry in Florida is struggling to bounce back after Hurricane Milton devastated crops. The latest forecast from the USDA shows no change in anticipated orange and grapefruit yields compared to last month. However, the industry still faces a harvest nearly 20% lower than pre-Milton projections.

The December numbers were the first projections after Hurricane Milton pounded citrus-growing areas in October.

Florida's beleaguered citrus industry received a mixed bag of news this week, with a stable production forecast offering a glimmer of hope amidst the ongoing challenges of hurricane damage and disease.

With a major grower set to exit the business, Florida’s struggling citrus industry saw little change Friday in a production forecast for the hurricane-damaged growing season.