Generally Larger Citrus Harvest

WASHINGTON - May 12/06 - SNS -- With the exception of oranges, production of other types of citrus grown in the United States is larger than initially expected, according to the USDA's latest crop production estimates.

Temple and tangelo production estimates were left unchanged, but the numbers for tangerines and grapefruit were increased from last month's estimates.

The U.S. grapefruit forecast is 1.21 million tons, up 4% from last month's forecast and 20% above last season's final utilization. Florida's grapefruit forecast, at 19.2 million boxes (816,000 tons), is up 7% from April and 50% above last season's final utilization. Excluding last season's hurricane-affected crop, Florida utilized grapefruit production has not been this low since the 1941-42 season.

The white grapefruit forecast is 6.50 million boxes (276,000 tons), up 8% from April and 91% above last season. The colored grapefruit forecast, at 12.7 million boxes (540,000 tons), is up 6% from April 1 and 35% above last season's final utilization.

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