Hurricanes Bash U.S. Citrus Crop

WASHINGTON - Dec 9/05 - SNS -- Citrus fruit production in the United States is much smaller than initially thought because of the impact of this year's hurricane season on crops in the Gulf region, according to the USDA's final crop production estimates of 2005.

The forecast of the 2005-06 U.S. grapefruit crop is 1.09 million tons, down 24% from the October 1 forecast. Florida's grapefruit production is forecast at 16.0 million boxes (680,000 tons), down 33% from the October 1, pre-Hurricane Wilma forecast but still 25% above last year's hurricane-damaged crop.

Following Hurricane Wilma, limb count crews recounted one-third of the previously completed Limb Count Survey samples in the hurricane affected Indian River and Southern Areas. New counts of fruit per tree resulting from this additional survey work support the 8.00 million box reduction.

The all white grapefruit utilization forecast, at 4.00 million boxes (170,000 tons), is down 43% from October 1 but 18% above last season's utilization. The new number for fruit per tree, at 212 pieces, is 103 more than last year, however still far less than any of the prior 10 years, excluding last year.

The colored seedless utilization forecast, at 12.0 million boxes (510,000 tons), is down 29% from the October 1 forecast but 28% higher than the 2004-05 season's utilization. The growth rate has increased since the previous forecast, and sizes are now projected to be above average.

Excluding last season, the drop rate for white varieties is higher than nine out of the past ten seasons, while the colored drop rate is higher than any of the previous ten seasons. Arizona, California, and Texas grapefruit production forecasts are carried over from October.

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