USDA Slashes Orange Crop Estimate

WASHINGTON - Dec 9/05 - SNS -- The U.S. all orange forecast for the 2005-06 season is 9.44 million tons, down 12% from the previous forecast but 4% above last season's final utilization of 9.11 million tons, according to the USDA's final crop production estimates of 2005.

Florida's all orange forecast, at 162 million boxes (7.29 million tons), is down 15% from the previous forecast but up 8% from the 2004-05 crop.

Early, midseason, and navel varieties are forecast at 80.0 million boxes (3.60 million tons), 14% below the previous forecast but 1% above last season's final utilization. The Florida Valencia forecast is reduced by 15 million boxes to 82.0 million boxes (3.69 million tons), down 15% from the previous forecast but up 16% from last season's final utilization.

Early-midseason bearing tree numbers are reduced from the number used to prepare the October forecast by 1.4%, and Valencia tree numbers are reduced by 2.4%. For both Valencia and early-midseason crops, projected fruit sizes will be smaller than any of the previous 10 years, and fruit drop will be above average. Arizona, California, and Texas orange production forecasts are carried forward from October.

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