The grapefruit crop has been lighter this year leading to the earliest finish to a Florida citrus season in a decade, according to local press reports in the state.

The latest forecast from the state authorities is that the grapefruit crop will total some 40million boxes compared to 46.7m last season. But some industry leaders have even doubted that the 40m mark will be reached.

The smaller crop has also matured earlier than usual so that some firms are closing their packhouses this week, up to a month ahead of a normal schedule.

Stewart Abbey of UK supermarket supplier Poupart reports that hot weather last week has also had an effect. 'The tail end of the fruit left on trees is large and with the high temperatures can be soft and puffy so you have to be very careful and we are calling it a day four weeks earlier than last year,' he said.

Poupart's suppliers will still be packing fruit next week and a little the week after and availability for customers is likely to continue until early June, but last season Florida fruit was still going strong into July. With South Africa starting slightly earlier than usual – first Star Ruby is expected to be packed straight after Easter – the changeover should remain seamless.

The Florida season began a couple of weeks earlier than usual in October, but has not closed so quickly since 1992, according to the reports.

This might not just be because of a smaller harvest though: packing lines are capable of handling the fruit much faster than they could 10 years ago and as fruit sizes were on the large side this season, there have been fewer pieces to be picked and packed.

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