Citrus production in Florida is down, according to a new report. The United States Department of Agriculture suggests Florida could produce enough oranges to fill 12 million 90-pound boxes. That is around 3 million less than what was expected.

Hurricane Milton has delivered a devastating blow to Florida's citrus industry, pushing what was already forecasted to be a historically low harvest even lower for the 2023-2024 season.

An updated forecast from the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Florida is projected to produce enough oranges to fill 12 million 90-pound boxes, 3 million less than expected before Milton. The industry produced 17.96 million boxes of oranges during the 2023-2024 season, which ended in July.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Damage from Hurricane Milton is driving down citrus production from what was already expected to be a historic low in the current growing season, according to a federal report released Tuesday.

An external camera aboard the International Space Station captured Hurricane Milton over the Gulf of Mexico on Oct. 9, 2024. Credit: Space.com | footage courtesy: NASA | edited by Steve Spaleta