Smaller U.S. Orange Crop

WASHINGTON - Jul 12/06 - SNS -- The U.S. all orange forecast for the 2005-06 season is 8.87 million tons, down 1% from the June 1 forecast and 4% below last season's final utilization, according to the latest USDA crop report.

Florida's all orange forecast, at 151 million boxes (6.80 million tons), is down 1% from the previous forecast but 1% above the 2004-05 utilization. Early, midseason, and navel varieties in Florida are forecast at 75.0 million boxes (3.38 million tons), unchanged from last month but 5% below the previous season.

Harvest of the early, midseason, and navel varieties is complete. Florida's Valencia forecast is 76.0 million boxes (3.42 million tons), down 3% from the June 1 forecast but 7% above last season's final utilization.

Estimated Valencia utilization to the first of July, including an allocation for local sales and gift fruit, is slightly over 69 million boxes. Several processing plants remain open to receive fruit but harvest labor shortages have reduced weekly processing movement.

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