While still early in the production season, growers in the cold-hardy citrus region are optimistic for a bumper crop this year. That optimism comes despite a mid-March freeze and prolonged drought that impacted all of the Southeast but was especially dire in South Georgia, North Florida and South Alabama.
Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association, discussed the current crop’s progression.
“For the most part, across the state, everybody’s trees are loaded,” Savelle said. “I did talk to one grower in Southeast Georgia who said he didn’t have a lot of fruit this year. But we’ve got a lot of fruit. Last year there was hardly any, and the year before was excessive.”
According to Savelle, there are a few pockets here and there where the freeze caused bloom damage, even on satsumas. “But I think we’re going to see another year of having a whole lot of fruit,” she said.
While cold-hardy citrus producers are likely to produce a strong crop, the question will be if they are able to sell all of it. Many satsuma mandarins were discarded two years ago because of oversupply. Savelle is confident that the industry’s marketing efforts have improved since then.
“There is consistent growth in people becoming aware of Georgia citrus outside of the state, and I think that’s good,” Savelle said. “For people who did have fruit last year, they didn’t have any trouble selling it. We’re just hoping that this will continue to be a developing market.
“I’m confident that there are more people interested in Georgia citrus — maybe not so much satsumas, but some of these other varieties we’ve got coming on like Tango, Shiranui, navels and grapefruit. Those will continue to grow in numbers, not only in production but in marketability.”
By Clint Thompson