Due to the early arrival of the spring bloom this year along with adequate rainfall throughout the growing season, the Florida grapefruit crop is maturing a few weeks earlier than last season

Fruit size is much larger, juice content per piece of grapefruit is expected to be on average 4% higher and the acid and brix (natural sugar) levels represent a normal season

The 2008/2009 Florida grapefruit crop forecast estimates that 23,000,000 boxes of grapefruit will be produced, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture

Although citrus production is down slightly from last year, industry efforts in disease prevention and management will guarantee consistent supplies for consumers for many years to come

Florida receives an average of more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, and plenty of rain, which creates ideal growing conditions for citrus fruit

The Florida Citrus Commission maintains high quality standards for growing, processing and packaging grapefruit

The 2008/2009 Florida citrus crop forecast estimates that 166 million boxes of oranges, 23 million boxes of grapefruit and 4.9 million boxes of specialty fruit will be produced, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture

Fruit size is larger this year due to adequate rainfall throughout the growing season and maturity tests indicate that early and late oranges are ahead of the eight-year average, whereas midseason oranges are slightly behind

Florida receives an average of more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, and plenty of rain, which creates ideal growing conditions for citrus fruit

Although overall citrus production is down slightly from last year, industry efforts in disease prevention and management will guarantee consistent supplies for consumer for many years to come