Solid Jump in Grapefruit Crop

WASHINGTON - Oct 12/06 - SNS -- Improved grapefruit production levels has resulted in a net increase in production of citrus fruits other than oranges in the United States this year, according to the USDA's crop production report.

The initial grapefruit harvest is pegged at 1.57 million tons, up 27% from last season's final utilization. Florida's grapefruit production is forecast at 26.0 million boxes (1.11 million tons), 35% above last season's hurricane-reduced final utilization. Excluding the last two hurricane-reduced crops, this is the lowest forecasted Florida grapefruit production since the 1949-50 season's 24.2 million boxes.

The white grapefruit forecast is 9.00 million boxes (383,000 tons), 38% above last season's final utilization. White grapefruit bearing trees are estimated to have declined by 3% from last season and 21% from two seasons ago. Average fruit per tree and current fruit sizes are slightly below the 1994-95 to 2003-04 season average. Drop is expected to be average.

The colored grapefruit forecast, at 17.0 million boxes (723,000 tons), is 33% above last season's final utilization. The number of bearing colored grapefruit trees is 2% below last season and 16% below the 2004-05 season. Fruit sizes are projected to be slightly below average, while fruit drop will be slightly above average.

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