Common Orange Varieties Grown in Florida and Their Harvest Seasons
Florida produces ~70% of U.S. oranges (mostly for juice). Eight major varieties ripen sequentially from October to June:
| Variety | Season | Characteristics | Primary Use |
|---|
| Hamlin | Oct–Jan | Early, seedless, thin skin, high juice, tart | Juice |
| Parson Brown | Oct–Jan | Similar to Hamlin, slightly sweeter | Juice |
| Navel | Nov–Mar | Seedless, navel end, easy peel, sweet | Fresh eating |
| Pineapple | Dec–Mar | Mid-season, seeds, rich flavor, high color | Juice, fresh |
Valencia — Mar–Jun, seedless, excellent juice, holds on tree late
Blood Oranges (Moro, Tarocco, Sanguinello) — Dec–Mar, red flesh, berry notes, premium fresh
Cara Cara — Dec–Apr, pink flesh, low acid, sweet, navel type
Satsuma (mandarin) — Oct–Dec, seedless, loose skin, very sweet
Key Points
- Valencia dominates juice processing (90%+).
- Navel dominates fresh market.
- Greening disease (HLB) has cut Florida production ~70% since 2005; Texas, California, imports fill gap.
- Seasonal overlap ensures year-round supply.
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