Specialty fruit acreage has remained fairly stable since making sizable
increases during the 1966 through 1971 period. In 1976-77, orange,
grapefruit and specialty fruit accounted for 76, 15 and 9 percent of
total citrus acreage, respectively.
 While total citrus acreage has been declining, citrus production
has continued to increase (Table 2). The increases are due to the
higher yields that are associated with the maturation of the trees
planted from 1960 through 1970. Thus while the 1970-71 through 1976-77
period has shown a decrease in acreage, production has continued to
increase, setting new highs for the 1974-75, 1975-76 and 1976-77 seasons.
 The total nominal on-tree value of the citrus crop has also been at
relatively high levels although increases have not been shared by all
types of plantings. Orange and specialty fruit crop values have held at
relatively high levels from 1971-72 to 1976-77 and grapefruit returns
declined relative to levels in 1971-72, 1972-73 and 1973-74 but are still
above returns reported for the 1960's (Table 3).
 Per acre and per box nominal returns are shown and included in
Tables 4 and 5, respectively. From 1972-73 to 1976-77 the indices for the
per acre returns are generally higher than the indices for the per box
returns because yields per acre have increased which moderates the effects
of lower per box prices on returns per acre. Both series show substantial
variation over time.


 HARVESTING AND HAULING COSTS


 Harvesting and hauling represent the first process in the marketing
channel from grove to consumer. Picking also represents the least
mechanized and most labor intensive operation in the marketing channel.
Recent increases in harvesting and hauling costs--especially labor costs--
have been of great concern to the industry. While mechanical harvesting
may, in the future, work to deter the rapidly increasing harvesting costs,
mechanical harvesting adoption has been slow. Harvesting and hauling
costs remain a major concern.