Florida citrus producers are expected to see a rise in production this season, forecasts from the US Department of Agriculture claim.

Growers are expected to produce 190 million boxes of oranges during the upcoming growing season, a 27 per cent increase over last season's hurricane ravaged crop.

Grapefruit production is expected to reach 24m boxes, double the size of last years crop.

The news has been greeted optimistically by the industry, but the news is tainted by growing fears over the spread of three diseases; citrus canker, citrus greening and tristeza.